Early season Washington cherry shipments have gotten off to a less than a stellar start, thanks to adverse weather, plus a shipping update on other Northwest produce shipments.
What should have been big time volumes of chelans early in the season, instead has been only a trickle. Rainiers also have suffered some wind and rain damage.
Volumes were down about 65 percent the week of June 1st. Loadings also were expected to be off 50 percent the week of June 8th.
This week, the initial harvesting of bings should start from growing areas not hit as hard by the rains. However, cherry shipments will continue to struggle through June. In July, late season volumes should be much better.
Blueberry Shipments
Blueberry shipments are just getting underway from British Columbia through Northwest Washington state. Blues also are just getting started from Oregon and Washington. Volume currently is very light.
Potato Shipments
Potato shipments in the latter part of the season continue from Washington’s Columbia Basin and Oregon’s Umatilla Basin. About 450 truck loads of potatoes are being shipped weekly. The region’s onion season has pretty much wrapped up.
Washington/Oregon potatoes – grossing about $6000 to Atlanta.
Apple Shipments
Washington apple shipments and pear shipments are experiencing steady loadings from week to week.
Yakima and Wenatchee Valley apples and pears – grossing about $6900 to New York City.