Michigan has begun its cherry season with increased volume this year. The season started on time in Michigan, and packing for Riveridge Produce began on July 1st. "With the way the heat is playing out, we could have a tighter timeline in the state," says Trish Taylor of Riveridge Produce, noting that sweet cherries are grown along the west side of Michigan. Fresh cherry harvest in Michigan generally lasts about five weeks, but may reach up to 10 in the coming years with more northern plantings
© Riveridge Produce
New cherry orchards in Michigan are grown under covers.
As for demand, it always outweighs supply. That's in part because of the location in the Midwest, where until the state's season starts, cherries largely come from the West. "Our customers save on the freight costs once we start, so there's a sizable demand for sweet cherries," says Taylor.
In turn, growers in Michigan continue to plant more and more sweet cherry trees as Riveridge has been doing over the last five years. "We've put in 100 acres in the last five years–about 20 acres a year, and other growers are also increasing their sweet cherry orchard footprints," says Taylor. "Our first harvest from a newly-planted orchard recently brought in 5,000 lbs. That's a great start for those eight acres."
Moving to sweet cherries
At the same time, some growers are also transitioning their tart cherry acreage into sweet cherry acreage. Over time, sweet cherry demand seems to be gaining strength with consumers while the demand for tart cherries has been waning.
In Michigan, for Riveridge, when new cherry orchards go in, they are grown under covers. "Covers in the spring protect blossoms from frost. During the season, it protects from birds that also like cherries. Then the main reason for covers is to protect the cherries from rain. Rain always seems to come near harvest, and it can split the fruit, creating fewer packouts. These cover systems really help with the curveballs Michigan weather can throw," says Taylor.
© Riveridge ProduceRiveridge is also in its second season with its new sweet cherry packing line.
As for pricing, it's expected to be on par with last year, even though there's more volume in this year's crop and demand continues to keep pace.
To help move its crop this season, Riveridge is also in its second season with its new sweet cherry packing line. "This year we added additional equipment to automate filling for both pouch bags and clamshells," says Taylor, adding that last week it also moved into two shifts for its sweet cherry packing line because volume is picking up.
For more information:
Trish Taylor
Riveridge Produce
Tel: +1 (616) 887-6873
[email protected]
www.riveridgeproduce.com
