Orondo variety volume up for 2014
US: NW cherry crop expected to reach between 20-21 million boxes
While Mother Nature will always keep her hand in the mix, the Washington fruit grower/shipper has two aces up its sleeve this year. In addition to increased volume of the Orondo Ruby variety, Chelan Fresh has a fleet of rain-mitigating helicopters ready for action.
Of the Orondo Ruby, Riggan said, “We are looking to expand our numbers of customers for this large cherry. It will start shipping June 20-23, and the window is basically the last two weeks of June and into early July.”
Euro cherry box display cases are ready for retail when Chelan Fresh Marketing kicks off its 2014 cherry season in June.
The Orondo was introduced to Chelan customers in 2012, with consumers finding the fruit an intriguing combination of high sugar as well as high acid. The contrast between full-coloured skin and white flesh is also appealing, and retailers like the fact the cherry ships well.
Expectations are for Northwest cherry crop to hit between 20 and 21 million boxes, according to Northwest Cherries in Yakima, WA. Last year's rain significantly cut into the Northwest's cherry volume, prompting Chelan Fresh to keep 12 helicopters on stand-by to deal with rain events.
The company is also actively promoting its array of packaging options for cherries, including the innovative Cup O Cherries that was rolled out in 2013. Stemless fruit is packaged in 16-ounce cups that hold approximately two dozen cherries, and the containers' reservoired lids are designed to hold the cherry pits.
“It was very well-received last year, and we're also offering our 1-pound clamshelll of super large cherries,” Riggan said. The clams actually hold 15 ounces of 9.5-row cherries. It's a great niche deal for retailers, with 16 clams to a master case,” he said.
Chelan's biggest cherry volume is in dark reds, but the sweet and tender Rainier cherries are also a popular item, and Riggan said production this year will be up from previous seasons. “We're looking at 300,000 packs, and we're offering our Rainiers in 1.25-pound pouch bags and clamshells,” he said.
Special promotions for Chelan Fresh Marketing's cherries include a Disney tie-in on 2-pound poly bags and 1-pound clams. “Both packages will feature temporary tattoos for kids. The tattoos come in four sets of two and change during the season,” he said, adding that the theme for the tattoos is “Mickey and Friends.”
Summing up the approaching season, Riggan said, “We're very excited about the crop. This year it's spread out well, not compressed. And barring any weather events, it's lining up to be one of the best cherry crops in years.”
For more information:
Mac Riggan
Chelan Fresh Marketing
Tel: +1 (509) 682-4252
Email: macr@chelanfresh.com