With another grower adding supply, bigger cherry volume is expected in 2018 for The Dalles, Ore.-based Orchard View Inc.
Omeg Family Orchards, also located in The Dalles, will market their cherries with Orchard View through Vancouver, British Columbia’s Oppenheimer Group, according to a news release. Oppy is Orchard View’s exclusive partner for the ninth season.
“Mike Omeg is an exceptional grower,” David Nelley, vice president of categories for apples, pears, cherries and global exports at Oppy, said in the release.
Orchard View grows about 3,200 acres of cherries, with Omeg Family Orchards production, total packout is expected near 1.2 million to 1.3 million cartons, up 30% over 2017 volume for Oppy, according to Oppy.
In general, poor pollination weather may cut Northwest cherry volume by 15%, but Nelley said the cherries will be bigger.
Orchard View has added new cluster cutters and bin dumpers and boasts a 48-lane Unitec optical sorting system, according to the release.
The season will start for Orchard View with chelan cherries between June 12-15 and continue with other varieties until the beginning of August.
