“This year is shaping up to be quite different than the last two cherry seasons,” said Brianna Shales, marketing director at Stemilt. “California has about half of a normal crop, so demand is exceeding supply during its first few weeks of harvest.”
Despite the tighter supply early on, Shales noted that Washington is poised to carry the season with a sizable crop, creating a seamless handoff between growing regions.
One notable advantage this year is the timing and spread of bloom across Washington’s cherry-growing districts. “It is great to have a longer season of cherries and more days to ship a large crop,” Shales said. That’s especially important as the industry rebounds from last year’s late-season crop losses in Washington. This year, volumes in late July and August are expected to be significantly higher — an encouraging sign for retailers seeking high-margin opportunities during the latter part of summer.
Shales emphasized that cherries will be promotable in June and July, including during the crucial Fourth of July window. “There will be windows of opportunity for organic cherry promotions and Rainier cherry promos,” she added.
While California’s weather challenges have led to a smaller and more size-variable crop this season, Washington has experienced ideal spring weather — warm, but with bloom spread that promotes quality. “There is a large crop on the trees,” Shales said. “We expect some natural drop and pruning to help control yield so that we don’t end up with undersized fruit.”
Stemilt will continue to leverage its signature premium lines to elevate flavor and presentation. Kyle’s Pick, the company’s ultra-premium offering, is getting a boost this year with a new quality verification process. “Only cherries that score 90 and above during that process will be certified as Kyle’s Pick cherries,” Shales explained. “This will help retailers have a premium flavor-driven program for their premium shopper.”
Meanwhile, the late-season A Half Mile Closer to the Moon program draws from high-elevation Amigos Orchards and is gaining importance as retailers look to extend cherry category performance. “We’re being strategic about growing more high-altitude cherries and will continue to offer retailers the longest continuous cherry season in North America,” said Shales.
On the labor and operations front, Stemilt is maintaining a confident outlook. The company uses the H-2A program for most orchard labor and supplements its packing operations with automation and seasonal staffing. “We have a lot of automation on packing lines that join with seasonal employees to efficiently get cherries into packages and boxes,” Shales said.
Technology also plays a critical role in maintaining cherry quality. Stemilt’s cold chain strategy is meticulous, spanning from orchard hydrocooling to in-line and jet cooling during packing and shipping. “The cold chain is something we are maniacal about because of how much it helps maintain quality and shelf life,” Shales said.
Sustainability continues to underpin Stemilt’s production practices. A notable example is the compost farm run by one of its grower-owners, who has been producing “World Famous Compost” for over two decades. The compost enriches soil health and boosts fruit flavor using green waste and natural inputs — well ahead of industry trends in regenerative agriculture.
For retail partners, Stemilt provides comprehensive support, from merchandising bins and signage to digital content and promotional planning. “We work closely with them to develop ads, have the right assortment, and build eye-catching displays,” Shales said. “Cherries are one of the true seasonal items left in the produce department and a huge driver of produce department dollars in the summer.”
Retailers will also find flexibility in packaging, with catch-weight bags, clamshells and more sustainable top-seal formats available. “Top seal packaging uses 30 percent less plastic than clamshells so it has some environmental components,” added Shales.
Stemilt’s cherries continue to perform well both domestically and in export markets. While concerns remain about tariffs, demand abroad remains robust. “Exports have always been and will remain a fundamental part of our cherry business,” Shales said. “With a large U.S. and global cherry crop, we may see expansion of international markets which would be a bright spot for the future of cherries.”
With strong volumes, a strategic marketing window and premium programs that highlight both flavor and origin, Stemilt is well-positioned to help retailers capture consumer interest and drive cherry category performance throughout the summer.
