The supply of cherries for export is starting the transition from California crop to Washington crop. "The transition is happening as expected. Though the weather has been a little bit cooler in California up until now and the fruit hasn't come on in size like the export markets would like to see," says David Nelley with The Fresh Connection.
Because of that sizing, the export volume hasn't been there. That means there's not too much of a direct crossover with early Chelan cherries from Washington. Add to that the fact that the Pacific Northwest has also been quite cool means the early varieties (such as Chelan) are only just coming in now. "It's a tidier transition than was evident a few weeks ago," adds Nelley, adding that in addition to the staple Chelan, there are also some interesting trial varieties of cherries coming in early in Washington that are large, firm, and sweet, eating more like a Bing.
Washington exports are expected to be strong through this month and July is also expected to be quite active. "There will be plenty of cherries around in the first half of July and if the crop keeps developing like it is, there could be some good opportunity to put fruit on the water to ship by ocean to start arriving through late July and into August," says Nelley.
Nelley says that in addition to the staple Chelan cherries, there are also some interesting trial varieties of cherries coming in early in Washington that are large, firm, and sweet, eating more like a Bing.
Positive export year
As for export demand, some markets in Asia had an interest in California fruit. "It was hard to meet some of that demand with sizing and the quality that they wanted," says Nelley. "That means almost all the markets we deal with in Asia are waiting for Washington/Oregon cherries and there's very good demand for that."
Exports to China have started well and there's a Dragon Boat festival on July 10th that buyers in China and Taiwan are interested in having fruit ready for. "Taiwan's interest was a bit lower in small sizes out of Washington. The first few days of picking have seen small sizes," says Nelley.
He adds though that generally this year has been a good year for fruit exports out of the U.S. which included California's citrus crop which had large sizing and good quality, along with the large volume Washington apple crop that has seen good demand in Asia and India and the Middle East. "So now customers are looking forward to cherries from Washington and are starting on stone fruit from California which includes our label, the Golden Dragon," says Nelley.
Nelley says it's been a good year of fruit exports out of the U.S., which includes the Fresh Connection's California stone fruit label, Golden Dragon.
Stronger prices on large fruit
So where is all of this leaving pricing? Initially, it was quite expensive on the big sizes for export which makes sense given most of the crop is smaller. It does ease off getting down to the 10 ½ row size of fruit.
Looking further ahead, where does this leave the final third of the North American cherry season? That's when British Columbia, Canada, a province that had a freeze early in the year affecting a large portion of its crop, is normally shipping fruit. "It's going to be really active on supply in the next six weeks. There will still be some cherries from B.C. later and there will be domestic demand for some of that and we'll have to see what the quality is like for export," says Nelley.
For more information:
David Nelley
The Fresh Connection
Tel: (+1) 805-721-2672
[email protected]
www.thefreshconnection.com