Starr Ranch Growers looks for a rebound in organic fruit volume

Shorter crops of tree fruit in the Northwest have been challenging in the 2022-23 season, but the new crop season begins with cherries in just a few weeks.

“We're looking forward to the cherry season, the first crop of our growing year,” said Dan Davis, director of business development for Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. “With all the issues of last year the new crop presents a fresh beginning.”

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is a marketer of organic apples, pears and cherries in addition to conventional fruit.

“Our organic supply is somewhat down from the growing season last fall,” said Davis, who added that weather stressors last year diminished volume and caused condition issues for some lots.

Through mid-April, Washington 2022-23 season-to-date apple shipments were about 12% lower compared with the same time a year ago. The industry expects a rebound in volume in 2023.

One of the rewarding aspects of growing organically is transferring some of those organic practices to conventional fruit, Davis said.

“It's exciting to watch organic lead the way in innovative and softer farming techniques,” he said. “As we become better organic farmers we also become better conventional farmers through the use of many of the same practices.”

Even with tighter supplies this year, Davis said retailers can build organic sales by highlighting organic fruit in the produce department.

“Make [organic fruit] easy to find and a destination that shoppers gravitate to,” he said.