Northwest fruit growers Starr Ranch Growers and CMI Orchards join forces

In a deal four years in the making, Starr Ranch Growers and Oneonta Trading Co. have joined forces with grower-shipper-packer CMI Orchards. This new partnership is slated to deliver more than 8 million cartons to CMI Orchards’ manifest, according to a news release.

“Uniting with a company of Starr Ranch's stature — a true powerhouse that has significantly shaped the tree fruit industry — not only marks the onset of an exhilarating new chapter for CMI but symbolizes a partnership rooted in deep respect, integrity and a shared vision for the future,” Bryon McDougall, chairperson of CMI Orchards, said in the release.

Starr Ranch Growers, which includes Custom Apple, Diamond Fruit and Apple King growers, would further build on CMI Orchards’ expansive selection of core, organic and specialty apples, pears and cherries, all under one roof, the release said.

“After 90 cherished years nurturing the Starr Ranch community of growers, team members, and customers with unwavering integrity, the visionary path forward is unmistakable clear, uniting with CMI Orchards. This forward-thinking collaboration has been a long time in the making, promising unprecedented benefits and a bright future for our growers and retail partners,” Jim Thomas, owner of Custom Apple Packing and chairman of Starr Ranch, said in the release.

Related news: Starr Ranch Growers adds organic volume of Honeycrisp, other varieties

Thomas credited Starr Ranch Growers CEO Don Odegard’s guidance and dedication during the pivotal transition period as key to laying a solid foundation for the partnership to thrive.

“As we transition, the seasoned leadership of [company President] Bob Mast, who has guided CMI Orchards with distinction for over a decade, instills great confidence in what lies ahead,” Thomas said in the release. “United, the CMI and Starr Ranch teams herald a future brimming with potential, grounded in a shared vision of success, innovation, and diligence. I remain as committed as ever to not only our orchard but to nurturing a vibrant and sustainable future for the Wenatchee Valley’s fruit industry.”

Expanding apple offerings

This partnership would add Juici and Karma brand apples from Starr Ranch Growers to CMI Orchards’ high-flavor portfolio, which includes varietal brands such as:

• Ambrosia Gold

• KIKU

• Kanzi

• Jazz

• Envy

• Smitten

• SugarBee

• Sunrise Magic

• EverCrisp

• Cosmic Crisp

In combination with core conventional varietals from Custom Apple and organics from Apple King, the move boosts CMI Orchards’ total volume by around 4.3 million cartons of apples, according to the release.

Strengthening pear portfolio

What’s more, the new partnership with Diamond Fruit Growers in Hood River, Ore., brings an additional 2 million pear cartons into CMI Orchards’ fold, establishing it as a dominant pear shipper globally, the release said.

The Hood River region represents one of the three key pear growing regions globally, and this addition results in CMI Orchards supplying pears from all three key regions:

• Hood River with Diamond Fruit Growers.

• The upper Wenatchee Valley with McDougall and Sons, Independent Warehouse and Hi-Up growers.

• Imports from Rio Negro, Argentina with Kleppe.

Extending the cherry season

Along with apples and pears, CMI Orchards anticipates an additional volume of 1.8 million cartons of cherries, with more early and late season offerings.

Related news: Starr Ranch Growers looks for a strong cherry season

“Extending the high-velocity cherry season means our retail partners can reap the benefits of one of the most lucrative times of year for longer and come to one place for all the very best apples and pears year-round,” Mast, president of CMI Orchards, said in the release.