The supply base for the winter imported cherry program has broadened for Lyndonville, N.Y.-based United Apple Sales.
“The initial challenge was to secure volume for our program that is competing in the global market where the vast majority of cherries are exported to Asia and the Middle East,” Brett Baker, United Apple partner and executive vice president, said in a news release.
The company found strong growers in Australia, Chile and New Zealand and communicated that there are retailers interested in sustainable, multi-year programs, he said.
United Apple is partnering with one of Tasmania’s largest growers, Reid Fruits, to bring in lapin, simone, sweetheart, sylvia, regina and kordia varieties. A Chilean partner, David Del Curto, in importing apples and pears, has expanded the relationship to include cherries, including: Santina, Stella, lapin and bing.
Ideal weather in Chile and Tasmania has created great-tasting fruit and a 10% increase in volume over last year, according to the release.
United Apple’s Lyndonville facility started shipping Chilean cherries to some retailers Dec. 1 and has partnered with northern California’s Delta Packing to start shipping New Zealand and Tasmanian cherries by Dec. 28.
“We know that when cherries are in season with the domestic crop, they are a priority and drive consumers to the produce department. Retailers are always looking to increase produce sales after the holidays, when there is a general slowdown in purchases,” Baker said in the release.
Based on supplies and program sales, United’s import cherries are targeted to be available through late January or early February.
