Good weather and an early start to the stonefruit season in Washington made for early, abundant supplies of fruit. But even with good volumes, demand has been keeping up with supplies of fruit coming out of the Pacific Northwest.“Demand has been fantastic this year,” said Roger Pepperl of Stemilt Growers. “Demand has exceeded supply, and it seems like the season has been trending that way, where demand is bigger.” As of August 22, market reports from the USDA put demand for nectarines from Washington as good, with prices for nectarines reaching up to $24.00 per carton for larger sizes. Prices for peaches ranged between $16.00 and $18.00 for larger sizes.
“Demand has been great this season, from start to finish,” added Bruce Turner of Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. “I think we're feeling the effects of consumers making smart choices, trying to feed their kids more fruit and vegetables.” Also contributing to a favourable market has been the timing of the Washington season with respect to California's stonefruit harvest. Turner noted that drought issues in California might have made for less fruit picked there, which increased demand for fruit out of the Pacific Northwest. Those strong prices established by California's supply early in the year, in turn, could have influenced the market for Washington's fruit, which arrives later in the year.
“I think California had a successful early season,” added Pepperl, “and that enhanced opportunities for us.”