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.

Star Produce’s Just Picked branded cherries will start in the south Okanagan Valley in late June and continue into the central valley for July through mid-September, said Gino Boensch, sales director and category manager for Star Produce, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The marketer is primarily a conventional shipper, with only light volume of organics available.

“Just Picked cherries give consumers a fresh-from-the-orchard eating experience. Whether it’s in bags, clamshells or bulk boxes, only the best cherries make it into the Just Picked brand,” Boensch said.

Recent weather has been conducive to a good cherry harvest in British Columbia.

“Although the orchards were delayed due to cooler winter and early spring temperatures, the trees endured these conditions quite well with only relatively light damage in the most northern growing regions,” Boensch said. “Warmer than normal weather in the first half of May has allowed the crops to catch up closer to normal development. Fruit set is looking very good and overall season volume will be larger this season compared to the past couple of years.”

Star Produce starts cherry harvest early and ends late, packing only premium varieties for a premium big-taste eating experience, Boensch said.

“We are hopeful that peak production will hit in late July for summer ads and continue through mid-August, before volume tapers off as production moves further north,” he said.

Star Produce will continue to ship through mid-September and may potentially be able to stretch the season to the end of the month if growers can avoid any major rainfall events, Boensch said.

Export outlook

Overseas demand from Asia and Europe is always strong, and air shipment availability is returning to normal after a couple of difficult years, Boensch said.

“BC’s late harvest has become world-renowned with far-reaching demand,” Boensch said. “Our consistency with huge sizing and tremendous flavor is what international buyers have come to expect from us.”

There continues to be a push to later and later varieties at higher elevations in British Columbia, Boensch said.

“Pushing the boundaries of what was previously seen as the limit for elevation has paid dividends in BC, giving BC growers a distinct advantage when it comes to late season shipping … nobody ships later than we do while also maintaining exceptional quality and size standards," he said.

 In terms of packaging, Star Produce options remain standard this season, with bagged and clamshell options.  

“We are working on an exciting biodegradable packaging that will be ready for the 2024 season,” Boensch said.