Stemilt Growers expects its California cherry season to start toward the end of April, translating to promotable volumes leading into Memorial Day and through early June.
The marketer doesn’t anticipate any gaps in its California cherry supply this season, says Chris Kurylo, vice president of strategic business development.
Wandin Valley Farms has been recognized at the Sydney Markets Cherry Auction for growing the “best cherry” in Australia — Bloom Fresh’s Cheery Nebula cherry variety.
The merger expands the opportunity and scope of both companies to serve their unique customer base, while also working together with the customers the two companies share coast to coast.
Organized by Yentzen Group in conjunction with the Cherry Fruit Committee of Chile (formerly ASOEX), the event will be held at the Monticello Events Center in Santiago, Chile.
The Chilean Cherry Committee, representing more than 85% of the volume of global Chilean cherry exports, has lowered its estimate of the 2023-24 crop and projected exports.
Bloom Fresh unveiled its new corporate identity and reaffirmed its commitment to breeding table grapes and cherry varieties in 24 countries at Fruit Attraction Madrid 2023.
Stemilt Growers will have its prized high-elevation cherries into the last week of August, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.
Washington cherry season is in full swing, and a robust cold chain is helping Stemilt Growers deliver fruit with consistent flavor, size and quality the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer says.
Retailers who carry Stemilt’s Artisan Organics cherries can benefit from impulse sales with a brand that delivers flavor and freshness, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.
The premium dark-sweet cherries cultivated in the California Delta region are expected to be available from mid-June through Fourth of July promotions, the grower says.
The Washington cherry crop is running late this season, but it will be well worth waiting for, says Dan Davis, director of business development for Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash.
CMI Orchards’ cherry program offers the largest varietal section of cherries available in the market today, says Rochelle Bohm, vice president of marketing for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based supplier.
Retailers can expect “much more” promotable volumes of cherries this season, says Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt, a Mathison family-owned-and-operated grower, packer and shipper of tree fruit.
While retailers may not be able to take full advantage of vast Northwest cherry supplies for Fourth of July ads, Mac Riggan says grocers will have many opportunities for retail cherry promotions later in the summer.
Starting in late June and continuing through mid-September, Star Produce will offer British Columbia cherries to retailers across North America and in several overseas markets, company officials say.
Over 50 cherry growers and retailers across four continents attended the May 16 event, which featured high-quality samples from eight of the Cheery Cherries varietals for tastings and viewings.
The early signs point to a healthy crop of cherries in the Northwest, says Tim Kovis, director of communications and events for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, Yakima, Wash.
Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.
Excellent growing conditions are on tap for Northwest fruit, and that means organic fruit volume will increase later this year for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co., says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Shoppers are willing to try new varieties if given the proper incentive. That can include providing a better understanding about flavor profiles so they can make informed decisions, says Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards.
Orchard View says its 100th season is shaping up to be large in volume and excellent in quality, even if it’s set to begin as much as two weeks later than usual due to chilly early spring weather.
With harvest running about two weeks late, Oppy anticipates a California cherry start date around the second week of May, with peak volumes between May 20 to June 10.
The USDA reported total cherry shipments from California’s San Joaquin Valley in 2022 totaled 2,256 truckloads, down 59% from 4,442 truckloads in 2021.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards says retailers can look ahead to a profitable Northwest cherry season with the freshest selections of premium cherries, high-graphic displays and exciting promotional programs.
