Latest News From Cherries

FirstFruits Farms acquires Applewood Orchards
FirstFruits Farms acquires Applewood Orchards

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.

Date set for the 2024 Global Cherry Summit
Date set for the 2024 Global Cherry Summit

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.

Chilean cherry estimate lowered
Chilean cherry estimate lowered

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 unveils new corporate identity at Fruit Attraction 2023
Bloom Fresh unveils new corporate identity at Fruit Attraction 2023

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.

Northwest fruit growers Starr Ranch Growers and CMI Orchards join forces
Northwest fruit growers Starr Ranch Growers and CMI Orchards join forces

The two Wenatchee, Wash.-based fruit companies are partnering to expand the combined apple, pear and cherry offerings.

Stemilt’s late-season premium cherries on track for strong finish
Stemilt’s late-season premium cherries on track for strong finish

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.

5 things about: Cherries
5 things about: Cherries

Get some useful — and just plain interesting — facts about cherries while they're in peak season.

Stemilt cold chain optimizes flavor and quality, marketer says
Stemilt cold chain optimizes flavor and quality, marketer says

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.

Stemilt Artisan Organics cherries can boost impulse purchases, marketer says
Stemilt Artisan Organics cherries can boost impulse purchases, 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.

Stemilt Growers' newly branded Kyle’s Pick cherries now available
Stemilt Growers' newly branded Kyle’s Pick cherries now available

​​​​​​​Stemilt Growers is offering its biggest and best dark sweet cherries in July under the Kyle’s Pick label.

River Valley Fruit adopts Hazel 100 for cherry business
River Valley Fruit adopts Hazel 100 for cherry business

After a successful 2021 trial, the company is using the shelf-life extension technology for this year's bigger crop.

Stemilt kicks off 5 River Islands cherry season
Stemilt kicks off 5 River Islands cherry season

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.

Northwest cherry harvest underway for CMI Orchards
Northwest cherry harvest underway for CMI Orchards

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards reports excellent quality at the start of the Washington cherry harvest.

Fresh Trends 2023: Average retail price for cherries rose 20% in 2022
Fresh Trends 2023: Average retail price for cherries rose 20% in 2022

Twenty-nine percent of all consumers said they purchased cherries in the past year, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023.

Starr Ranch Growers looks for a strong cherry season
Starr Ranch Growers looks for a strong cherry season

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.

Gold Star Fruit expects peak cherry supply in late July
Gold Star Fruit expects peak cherry supply in late July

Cherries will be in good volume this year for British Columbia-based Gold Star Fruit Co., with peak volume expected for the third week of July.

Oppy celebrates 100 years at Orchard View Cherries
Oppy celebrates 100 years at Orchard View Cherries

Oppy’s California cherry season is expected to end around June 20, just in time to overlap with the start of the Pacific Northwest cherry season.

CMI offering big variety of cherries, expanded crop
CMI offering big variety of cherries, expanded crop

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.

Sage Fruit looks for big rebound in cherries
Sage Fruit looks for big rebound in cherries

After a down crop year in 2022, Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. is looking forward to rebounding with a large cherry crop volume in 2023.

Stemilt sales exec gives retailers advice on Washington cherry crop
Stemilt sales exec gives retailers advice on Washington cherry crop

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.

British Columbia cherries to arrive in late June
British Columbia cherries to arrive in late June

The first British Columbia cherries should hit the market by the end of June, says Richard Isaacs, commercial director of Global Fruit, Creston, B.C. 

Chelan Fresh expects plenty of cherry promotions this summer 
Chelan Fresh expects plenty of cherry promotions this summer 

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.  

Star Produce to offer Canadian cherries beginning in late June
Star Produce to offer Canadian cherries beginning in late June

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.

European IFG Cherry Field Day showcases the success of low-chill cherry program
European IFG Cherry Field Day showcases the success of low-chill cherry program

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.

River Valley Fruit debuts PLU number for exclusive Audra Rose cherry
River Valley Fruit debuts PLU number for exclusive Audra Rose cherry

Grandview, Wash.-based River Valley Fruit has introduced the Audra Rose cherry bag with its newly assigned PLU number, 3550.

Fruit World's stone fruit season aims to deliver flavor for retailers
Fruit World's stone fruit season aims to deliver flavor for retailers

Reedley, Calif.-based Fruit World says it is shipping some of the ripest early California cherry varieties.

Strong cherry crop expected, industry association says
Strong cherry crop expected, industry association says

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.

Northwest cherry growers expect a 50% increase in crop
Northwest cherry growers expect a 50% increase in crop

The first crop estimate from Northwest Cherry Growers calls for a fresh crop of 19.9 million (20-pound) boxes.

CMI Orchards releases new American Dream category statistics ahead of cherry season
CMI Orchards releases new American Dream category statistics ahead of cherry season

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards has unveiled its newest American Dream CatStats.

IFG expands the cherry season window with low-chill cherries
IFG expands the cherry season window with low-chill cherries

Bakersfield, Calif.-based International Fruit Genetics LLC (IFG) is expanding its low-chill cherry program.

Superfresh Growers sees the growing importance of organic fruit
Superfresh Growers sees the growing importance of organic fruit

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.

Northwest organic tree fruit set to increase for Sage Fruit Co.
Northwest organic tree fruit set to increase for Sage Fruit Co.

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.

What's ahead for California table grapes, strawberries and cherries
What's ahead for California table grapes, strawberries and cherries

After a tough growing season characterized by rain, snow and unusually low winter temperatures, some project a promising year for summer fruit.

How to entice shoppers to buy more organic
How to entice shoppers to buy more organic

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 expects to mark century of cherries with abundant crop
Orchard View expects to mark century of cherries with abundant crop

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.

Rivermaid to begin its California cherry season in late April
Rivermaid to begin its California cherry season in late April

Rain and cold weather delayed the California cherry crop and affected pollination, says Kyle Persky, sales manager for Rivermaid Trading, Lodi, Calif.

Oppy transitions to California cherries
Oppy transitions to California cherries

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.

Primavera to begin 34th season of marketing California cherries
Primavera to begin 34th season of marketing California cherries

Primavera Marketing generally starts cherry marketing in late April and continues through mid-June, but this year’s timetable is a little later.

California cherries saw volume dip, prices climb in 2022
California cherries saw volume dip, prices climb in 2022

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.

CMI Orchards readies for the cherry season with a new online guide
CMI Orchards readies for the cherry season with a new online guide

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.

Stemilt Growers expects later start for California cherries
Stemilt Growers expects later start for California cherries

The state has had historic cool weather that delayed the onset of the state's cherry bloom.

Industry leaders to share insights at Global Cherry Summit
Industry leaders to share insights at Global Cherry Summit

Those attending the April 20 event in Chile will include exporters, importers, marketers, retailers, researchers and industry consultants.

Superfresh Growers to expand cherry production by 30%
Superfresh Growers to expand cherry production by 30%

Yakima, Wash.-based Superfresh Growers will expand its sweet cherry production by 30% this summer with the addition of a new packing line.

IFG expands its low-chill Cheery Cherry line 
IFG expands its low-chill Cheery Cherry line 

International Fruit Genetics has released three new trademark names for its growing Cheery Cherry line.

Chilean cherry promotional opportunities plentiful for retailers
Chilean cherry promotional opportunities plentiful for retailers

With National Cherry Month in February, the Chilean Cherry Committee is offering merchandising materials and marketing programs to assist retailers.

What’s ahead for table grape, cherry breeding
What’s ahead for table grape, cherry breeding

Unique flavors in table grapes and low-chill cherries are some of the trends International Fruit Genetics predicts for 2023.

Pacific Trellis Fruit optimistic for upcoming cherry and stone fruit import season
Pacific Trellis Fruit optimistic for upcoming cherry and stone fruit import season

The first fruit to arrive via vessels should be available the third week of December, just in time for New Year’s ads, says Marcial Hernandez, director of imported fruit.

Chile flexes big supply of winter fruit
Chile flexes big supply of winter fruit

Chile is a powerhouse supplier of fruit to the U.S. market, and its success over the past 30 years has attracted more competition.

Oppy looks for increases in Chilean cherries and citrus
Oppy looks for increases in Chilean cherries and citrus

Vancouver, B.C-based Oppy expects similar Chilean produce volume compared with last season, but there are volume shifts within categories, said Eric Coty, vice president of South American operations.

Rabobank reports look at Southern Hemisphere cherry outlook
Rabobank reports look at Southern Hemisphere cherry outlook

Cherry production and exports from Chile will increase this year, but growers there and in other Southern Hemisphere countries are facing new farm and market challenges, according to a new report from Rabobank.