“About 40 percent of our stone fruit program is organic”

After a very good growing season, the expectations of organic stone fruit quality are high in Washington state. “Thanks to Mother Nature, the quality is excellent, and we will be able to produce a much better fruit size compared to the past couple of years,” says Dan Davis who heads up Oneonta’s organic category. 

Harvest of organic apricots has just started and will continue through the middle of July. When organic apricot harvest wraps up, organic peaches and organic nectarines will come into production until August. Harvest of organic white nectarines and organic pluots will run from August through September. 

In recent years, Oneonta significantly expanded its organic stone fruit program and the company continues to do so. “Our overall stone fruit production is similar to last year, but the organic share will nearly double this season,” said Davis. “Organic makes up about 40 percent of our overall stone fruit program and it increases each year.” The increase in production is driven by rising demand. To differentiate organic stone fruit from conventional stone fruit in the store and at the checkout register, Oneonta has introduced oversized Purple Starr Ranch Organics PLU stickers. “In addition to apples, we have made the move to oversized PLU stickers for all our stone fruit varieties,” Davis said. “We aim to make the organic category as transparent as possible and support our retail partners with identification at store level.” 

To continue servicing the organic market with high quality product, Oneonta is transitioning its best varieties from conventional to organic. “We have focused on moving away from older varieties.” As a result, Roboda and Patterson are the two organic apricot varieties that will see the biggest increase in production this year. The timing couldn’t be better as organic apricots seem to be hitting the sweet spot this year. “California’s apricot season gaps for a few weeks and we will be able to fulfil the demand. Also, organic pluots are gaining popularity in the United States,” shared Davis.

For more information:

Dan Davis

Tel: (+1) 509-961-1919