Northwest cherry shipments are expected to be up slightly with more than 15 million 20-pound equivalents this season. This is about 5 million fewer than last year, according to the Round 1 Crop Estimate and Update issued by Northwest Cherry Growers of Yakima, WA on May 12.
Harvesting in the earliest orchards got underway May 28 with most early season growers starting the first week of June.
It takes the industry at least 10 days to begin building larger volumes.
The early season volume out of the Northwest should make for an nice transition from this year’s California crop.
Some unseasonably cold weather in April is primarily to blame for the smaller Northwest cherry crop.
However, this is expected to increase supplies for both early and late-season cherry supplies.
The 2021 crop estimate of 24 million 20-pound boxes was reduced to 20.3 million boxes by the heat that hit 118 degrees in several growing districts.
Western Sweet Cherry Group of Yakima, WA is expected to begin its new crop sometime between June 10 and 12. Grower Direct Marketing LLC of Stockton, CA. markets product for Western Sweet Cherry Group.
The cherry crop is much later crop than usual, because it usually starts around Memorial Day.
Stemilt Growers Inc. of Wenatchee, WA. claims it has the nation’s longest cherry season and expects volume of cherries in July and August. The crop is expected to be more spread out leading to a longer shipping period.
Sage Fruit of Yakima will add cherries from Chelan Fruit this season, so the company’s overall volume should be up.