Organic NW cherries slated to start soon

Though California cherry producers have been in the marketplace with good supplies since early May, the number of organic cherries for national distribution are few and far between. That’s about to change with the harvesting of cherries from the Northwest.

A month ago, Northwest cherry growers, shippers and packers were anticipating an early start to their deal, but cooler-than-expected weather has delayed that timing by a week or so.

Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Director of Marketing, Domex Superfresh Growers

“In the initial crop reports, we projected potential pick dates for late May,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for Domex Superfresh Growers in Yakima, Washington. “However, recent cooler temperatures over the past couple of weeks might delay our season's start slightly. Notably, these temperatures should enhance flavor without causing concern. Based on updated insights from our field staff, we anticipate an early to mid-June start for organic cherries. Volume will initially be modest, gradually building up to a promotable volume by the 4th of July.”

She reported that the field team is anticipating larger fruit this season with a more prolonged harvesting schedule compared to 2023 because of the more favorable temperatures and growing conditions. Gipe-Stewart said Superfresh is expecting an increase in volume for both its organic Dark Sweet and organic Rainier cherry varieties. While there should be more organic volume than last season, the Domex executive noted that organic cherries still only make up a small portion of the total Northwest cherry crop.

“Given that organic volume consistently consists of a smaller portion of the cherry crop, proactive planning is essential for those interested in securing organic volume,” Gipe-Stewart said, predicting that there will be promotable volume in the category for about a one-month period stretching from mid-June through mid-July.

"Based on updated insights from our field staff, we anticipate an early to mid-June start for organic cherries. Volume will initially be modest, gradually building up to a promotable volume by the 4th of July.” - Catherine Gipe-Stewart

Superfresh added a third cherry packing line last year, which has allowed the company to reduce the time it takes to get cherries from the orchard to store shelves, she said. Domex Superfresh Growers has had the largest and longest cherry season for the past two seasons and is anticipating the same this year, she added.

Hector Aguilera, produce buyer for Heath and Lejeune – Soully Organic in Los Angeles, California, confirmed that the California organic cherry deal is winding down and all eyes are shifting northward for new supplies. “There could be a gap between California and Washington,” he said on May 28. “I don’t think California’s fruit will last more than two or three weeks … probably two weeks.”

Hector Aguilera, Produce Buyer, Heath and Lejeune – Soully Organic

Reflecting that demand far exceeds supply on organic cherries from California, Aguilera said Soully Organic is sourcing organic cherries from Redding, California, that are bringing $80 to $100 per carton in the Los Angeles marketplace. “The Rainiers eat like candy but there’s not very many of them,” he said.

He expects to have organic cherries from Washington through June and July. He added that while organic cherries are a popular consumer item, there are many other organic fruits to choose from, including peaches, plums, nectarines, melons, honeydews, watermelons and berries.

“The Rainiers eat like candy but there’s not very many of them." - Hector Aguilera

Northwest Cherries, the group that oversees the cherry production from five Northwest states, with Washington State providing the lion’s share, has estimated a crop of 17-18 million 20-pound boxes. About 95% of that volume is conventional fruit. Total volume is expected to be a bit lower than last year, but its marketing is expected to be much more orderly and take place for more than two months. In 2023, weather conditions truncated the harvest, causing most of the crop to be marketed over one month or so, with supplies overlapping the California crop.