The cherry shipments coming of cherries from in the Pacific Northwest are continuing steadily. “So so far it appears that the Northwest cherries industry has sent around 500 boxes per every day.” claims Cat Gipe-Stewart Marketing director for Superfresh Growers(r).

Although some grower-shippers within the area have completed their season Superfresh Growers are expecting an extended season in the coming year. “We are at the top of our game. In spite of the hot weather that has dominated these past few days, the cool nights in our high-elevation orchards should allow us to keep supplying retail stores well into the month of August.” says Gipe Stewart.

In fact, the 2024 harvest was predicted to comprise 20.9 million boxes. That’s an increase of 12 percent from one year ago. It’s not uncommon for the industry to produce larger volumes than forecast and also reached its peak in the middle of July as overall volumes continue to surpass the average of five years.

Regarding varieties, Gipe Stewart says it’s the late-season Dark Sweet cherries look good and are large and tasty. “We remain hopeful of constant volumes from the Dark Sweet cherries as we intend to pack them through much of August” she shares.

The timing of the PNW

Regarding the how the season started although it started in line with the five-year normal start time, cool weather towards the beginning of the year delayed the beginning date and brought it into similar to prior years. “The relatively mild weather has resulted in an even flow of picking in all of our orchards permitting us to prolong the picking season well into the month of August.” Gipe-Stewart says.

In the case of Superfresh Growers, its growing areas are on the coasts of Oregon as well as Washington. “During the winter the high-elevation orchards in some areas were hit with cold temperatures, which impacted last-season cherries” Gipe-Stewart says. “However due to the strategically-placed orchards that we have our orchards were able to not suffer massive losses, and we still have plenty last-season cherries readily available. The weather is warming to the point of being better timed. The season is more than halfway to the end of the season. Our cherry trees are getting ready to develop into juicy and delicious cherries, which are soon available for harvest.”

Other regions producing cherries currently include Turkey as well as Canada with imports. In the US certain Western as well as Midwestern states are producing regional quantities.

A strong demand for cherries

In terms of the market demand for cherries, it’s extremely high. “The demand is increasing because many producers are completing their crop throughout the year,” states Gipe-Stewart. “As every year, ahead of the 4th of July holiday the retailers have created an abundant supply of cherries. It has slowed the state’s movement for a couple of days. But sales are now picking back up, and the pace of business has been steady.”

However, Superfresh Growers anticipates that the consumption of cherries will generally continue to grow, with flavors and quality being the main aspects that drive purchases for the consumers. The company’s principal consumers are likely to be consistent. This includes educated homeowners living in two-person households who earn of between $100,000 and $150,000. The majority of its customers include those who are 55 years old and over however, as the younger generation become older, she believes that younger generations will too fall into this group.

In the future, Gipe-Stewart has great expectations for the next months, as Superfresh Growers continue to produce regular volumes that will pack until August.

For further information:

Catherine Gipe-Stewart

Superfresh Growers

Tel: +1 (509) 966-1814

[email protected]

www.superfreshgrowers.com