Challenges and Optimism Pt 2

From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. The biggest challenge for cherry growers over the past few years has been, according to Northwest Cherry Grower’s president BJ Thurlby, some periods of extreme heat.

But even so, Thurlby says, given that and all the other challenges, he’s feeling pretty good about how things are looking for this year’s crop …

THURLBY … “One of the things I think I would say is that I’ve had a lot of growers tell me that they’re pretty excited about what potential they have on the trees this year. We all know that you don’t count your cherry chickens before they hatch, but at the same time the potential for a nice sized crop is out there.”

And, Thurlby says from a retail perspective …

THURLBY … “When we talk about some of the things leading into this season, we think the retail pricing strategy that was employed last year is going to be in place again this year, because a lot of retailers just kind of do the same thing that they did the year before. And so, we think that the retail side of the business is lined up well for a big crop.”

But that, Thurlby says is just the domestic market …

THURLBY … “Then we talk about the export markets as of right now, still we think we have an opportunity to sell 30-32% of the crop offshore, which again adds value to the overall cherry deal here in the Northwest.”

So, Thurlby says other than that he’s taking an optimistic approach …

THURLBY … “It looks like the potential for a good crop and everybody’s kind of keeping your fingers crossed and just hoping for 10-tons to the acre and great quality.”

Again, that’s BJ Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers.