CMI Orchards predicts record crop in US Red & Rainer cherries
George Harter, vice president of marketing for CMI Orchards says that they are predicting a record harvest in both Red cherries and Rainier cherries. “Our horticultural staff is telling us that 2017 is going to be an epic crop. We’re not only anticipating a big crop of red cherries, but we’re projecting a record harvest of Rainier’s rebounding from last year’s small crop.
“Any retailer who has been waiting for that one big year to hammer Rainiers, now is the time,” said Harter. “At CMI we expect our Rainier cherry volume to be up close to 50%.”
Harter says the harvest of Red cherries is solidly underway, with Rainier harvest expected to peak over the weeks of July 1-15.
Strong export pricing created additional market shortages as many of the early cherries were pulled into international markets, limiting supplies and keeping upward pressure on pricing. But beginning this week, big volumes are rolling to retailers across North America.
Harter also reports that the company is gearing up for the biggest week of the season on Bing cherries with peak volume in Rainier and Sweethearts hitting after the July 4 holiday.
“Compared to the last couple of years which were unseasonably early, it has felt like forever to get this season rolling,” said Harter. “That is behind us now and the next four weeks will bring peak supplies on both Red and Rainier cherries.”
Harter says that despite the later harvest, initial sales have been excellent.
“If you look at the first 13 days of the Northwest cherry season compared to the first 13 shipping days last year, the industry is up 41% in total carton shipments,” said Harter. “That’s a strong indication that the cherry quality we’re seeing is outstanding.”
“We’re counting on our partner retailers to really drive sales during the entire month of July,” said Harter. “We believe that 60% of our total cherry crop will be harvested after the July 4 holiday. That bodes well for strong promotions for the entire month of July.”
Harter notes that they are pleased with cherry sizing. “Fruit packed so far has been peaking on 10-10.5 row size, which is bigger than the initial pre-harvest estimates. Overall, fruit size will be down slightly from last year when a light crop on the trees yielded above average sizing. We’ll still have plenty of the 10.5 row and larger cherries that consumers prefer.”
For more information:
Steve Lutz
Tel: +1 509 888 3401
[email protected]
www.cmiorchards.com
