Cherries
Twenty-nine percent of all consumers said they purchased cherries in the past year, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023.
Stemilt Growers will have its prized high-elevation cherries into the last week of August, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.
Wandin Valley Farms has been recognized at the Sydney Markets Cherry Auction for growing the “best cherry” in Australia — Bloom Fresh’s Cheery Nebula cherry variety.
With a start date of about June 1, the 2024 Northwest cherry crop will begin 10-12 days ahead of the 2023 crop, according to Northwest Cherry Growers.
Cherry packers in California and New Zealand have implemented Tomra’s AI-powered LUCAi technology with good results, according to a news release.
Brewster, Wash.-based tree fruit marketer Honeybear Brands is preparing to ship cherries from Washington to retailers ahead of schedule.
Bakersfield, Calif.-based International Fruit Genetics LLC (IFG) is expanding its low-chill cherry program.
The premium dark-sweet cherries cultivated in the California Delta region are expected to be available from mid-June through Fourth of July promotions, the grower says.
The two Wenatchee, Wash.-based fruit companies are partnering to expand the combined apple, pear and cherry offerings.
Shoppers are willing to try new varieties if given the proper incentive. That can include providing a better understanding about flavor profiles so they can make informed decisions, says Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards.
Orchard View says its 100th season is shaping up to be large in volume and excellent in quality, even if it’s set to begin as much as two weeks later than usual due to chilly early spring weather.
Excellent growing conditions are on tap for Northwest fruit, and that means organic fruit volume will increase later this year for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co., says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.
Grandview, Wash.-based River Valley Fruit has introduced the Audra Rose cherry bag with its newly assigned PLU number, 3550.
Over 50 cherry growers and retailers across four continents attended the May 16 event, which featured high-quality samples from eight of the Cheery Cherries varietals for tastings and viewings.
The merger expands the opportunity and scope of both companies to serve their unique customer base, while also working together with the customers the two companies share coast to coast.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards is projecting its cherry harvest will continue into late July, says Joel Hewitt, vice president of sales.
Last year’s cherry crop was difficult because of an overlap in California and Washington and compressed harvest windows in Washington, but the 2024 crop is different, says Brianna Shales, Stemilt marketing director.
The Northwest cherry crop for Sage Fruit is wide-ranging across Northwest growing regions and high-flying in quality expectations.
The Washington cherry crop could be a bit short of earlier expectations, but retailers should have plenty of fruit to promote this summer, says Mac Riggan, Chelan Fresh vice president of sales and business development.
Oppy anticipates normal harvest timing for cherries, with the first pick of its Orchard View cherries in Oregon set for June 13.
The organization representing tart cherry growers said a new FDA report underscores the role of tart cherry and cranberry products in fostering a healthy diet.
Amy Cohn joins the Cherry Industry Administrative Board and Cherry Marketing Institute after 17 years at General Mills.
Based on user engagement and search trends, a Pinterest report says Gen Z and millennials will infuse cherries into their makeup, menus and mood boards.