Catherine Gipe-Stewart, marketing director for Superfresh Growers, commented that the region “experienced a generally mild spring, with favorable conditions leading up to harvest, with the exception of a few isolated weather events”.
“As warmer temperatures approached, we strategically thinned the crop to encourage accelerated cell growth, a technique that has paid off in both size and quality”, she added.
“This growth has resulted in an excellent supply of large cherries”, Catherine said. “The good sizing and quality have also positioned us well for our export programs to South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong”.
She explained that Northwest cherries entered the market with prices ranging from $3.99 to $6.99 per pound, and prices are expected to remain between $2.99 and $5.99 per pound since mid-June.
“Although some discount chains have lowered prices to $1.99 per pound or less, prices below $2.99 are still extremely rare”, Gipe-Stewart noted.
“In view of the July 4th peak supply and its important promotional window, Superfresh Growers recommends a regular price of $3.99 per pound and a promotional price of $2.99, price points that consistently generate high volume while covering production costs and supporting retail margins”, she added.
Cherry Shipments and the Season
Regarding exports, the brand maintains stable and reliable demand in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.
Gipe-Stewart stated that “India represents a promising emerging market, with growing demand potential, while exports to China have declined significantly in recent years, largely due to tariff-related trade challenges”.
This Northwest cherry season is just getting underway, and growers in the region reported shipments have reached 3.3 million boxes, and that they “are seeing large, red and yellow cherries, uniform in color and with exceptional flavor”.
So far, the Northwest industry has shipped 234,534 15-pound equivalent boxes of Rainier yellow cherries, a 42% increase over last year, and the 2025 yellow cherry harvest is estimated to reach 1.8 million 15-pound boxes.
Source: Portalfruticola.com
