Washington
The Packer’s Sept. 6 issue includes special coverage of the Northwest pear deal, and we want to hear from you, growers and marketers.
With a run of triple-degree temperatures in midsummer, Washington apple growers have seen their challenges for 2021.
The value of U.S. apple exports dipped slightly in the year ending June 2021, but some export destinations saw big gains.
Though end-of-year promotions are big every year, Northwest pears offer robust promotion opportunities well into 2022, marketers say.
Stemilt was presented the Legacy Award in Technology by NCW Tech Alliance.
With most of the 2021 apple crop now harvested and in storage, Washington apple shippers have lowered their estimate of the state’s fresh apple volume by 5.3% compared with an earlier estimate.
Marcela Riquelme, logistics and operations coordinator at the Vanguard International office in Santiago, Chile, has died.
For the first time in over a year, many students will be back in school buildings, navigating a new normal.
This October marks not only the start of Starr Ranch Growers Harvest Season but also brings the announcement of the retirement of long time Director of Marketing, Scott Marboe.
The Washington fresh apple crop is projected at 108.7 million standard forty-pound boxes, an 11.1% decrease from 2021’s 122.3 million boxes, according to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.
The Pacific Northwest organic pear crop looks promising, as estimates point to an increase in volume over last year, according to Domex Superfresh Growers.
Selah, Wash.-based Rainier Fruit Co. is expecting a high-quality pear crop.
Finding varieties that appeal to consumers is one way the leading state for U.S. apple production continues to innovate and evolve.
Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits Farms has started its 10th year of growing and selling the Sweetie branded apple.
The fruit sales and marketing firm Sage Fruit Co. is growing this season with the addition of grower/shipper Chelan Fruit, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Giving apple consumers great quality fruit goes a long way to ensuring repeat retail purchases, despite the friction of inflation in the produce department, Washington apple marketers say.
The Cosmic Crisp apple is a rising star for Washington apple marketers, but how high it will soar is still a question, marketers say.
With an excellent quality crop now being harvested, Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits Marketing is looking forward to connecting consumers with Washington apples.
Nearly 25% of Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers’ apple crop is grown and certified organic for the 2022 crop, says Brianna Shales, marketing director.
Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits Farms has announced several staff moves, highlighted by the promotion of Lon Hudson to sales director.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards is steadily growing in organic apples, pears and cherries, said Joel Hewitt, organic sales manager.
Viva Tierra Organic is planning new product introductions, new packaging and new branding for the 2022-23 season, says Chris Ford, business development and marketing manager for the Mount Vernon, Wash.-based marketer.
Selah, Wash.-based Rainier Fruit Co. has promoted David Armenta to sales manager, overseeing both domestic and export sales teams, according to a news release.
Joyfully Grown is the new tree fruit brand for Chelan, Wash.-based Chelan Fresh.
The Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower-packer-shipper of tree fruit provided gifts for 131 children who are under the care of the Washington State Department of Youth and Family Services and K Connections.
A shorter crop of apples in Washington has led to declines in exports at the start of the 2022-23 season.
A shorter crop of Washington apples and higher costs for growers this year has caused elevated pricing and new ways to move the crop.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is enjoying growth in its proprietary varieties as more trees come into production, said Dan Davis, director of business development.
Communicating with truck drivers, treating them well when they arrive at Chelan Fresh facilities and getting them loaded quickly are some ways the company is helping drivers, says Mac Riggan, director of marketing.
Pacificpro Sales LLC has partnered with Glacier Peak Cold Storage to provide packaged fruit options.