Fruit Update

The 2015 cherry crop is winding down and grocery stores are suggesting you’d better hurry if you want to pick up some Washington grown cherries. The Ag Network’s KayDee Gilkey has more on the 2015 cherry crop.

GILKEY: According to Northwest Cherries, through Sunday, July 12th, the Northwest cherry industry shipped 17.5 million 20-pound boxes of fruit.  That’s 11% more than the industry’s previous shipment high by the 12th, and 141% more than the 15-year industry average of 7.2 million boxes by the same date. Cherry quality in the box continues to be high, with firmness and flavors driving repeat purchases. Most of the Rainier crop has been harvested. The total Rainier crop will likely finish near 1.7 million 15-pound boxes, or 300,000 less than the Round 3 estimate.

Thanks KayDee. Cherry quality in the box continues to be high, with firmness and flavors driving repeat purchases. Harvest has transitioned to the late varieties and the latest of districts, with shipment momentum expected to carry us through the weekend. Purchase records show that 17% of cherry buyers each year don’t make their first purchase until the Northwest late season. What causes that purchase? According the Northwest Cherries it’s that countdown notice letting them know that the time to squeeze the last bit of summer out of Northwest cherries is now.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.