Transition of the season from California to Washington: details from Stemilt Growers

In June, Stemilt Growers will pass the cherry season baton from California to Washington, says Brianna Shales, marketing director.

The Wenatchee, Wash-based company is one of the nation's largest suppliers of sweet cherries and a leader in the Washington cherry sector. Stemilt grows conventional and organic cherries and three main types of sweet cherries, including dark-sweet cherries, Rainiers, and proprietary Skylar Rae cherries. The company is also a leader in the organic cherry sector.

“Within dark-sweet cherries, there are several varieties from different harvest periods,” said Shales. “Stemilt has invested in new genetics that help produce firm, sweet cherries with intense color. We have a high volume of Skeena cherries in Washington and also have new varieties in June that will surely delight us.”

“Our ability to deliver fresh cherries to retail, going through a cold chain for which we are meticulous, and doing so from the beginning to the end of the cherry season, is a real differentiator for Stemilt,” she added.

A long season

Shales stated that Stemilt has the longest season in the industry, with continuous daily supply starting with the harvest of cherries in California at the end of April and reaching up to high-altitude cherries in Washington in August.

The California harvest is already underway and will run from late April to mid-June, while the Washington harvest is set to start in early June and have good supply in June and July. Washington's cherry production will significantly decrease in August due to a reduced harvest in the late season, Shales said.

“Retailers need to know that this year they need to make dollars with cherries in June and July, as the late harvest is reduced,” Shales said. “Helping retailers make the most of the season's opportunities and provide great quality and freshness is what we will focus on at Stemilt.”

Last year's cherry harvest was challenging due to the overlap between California and Washington and reduced harvest windows in Washington, but Shales said the good news is that the 2024 harvest is different.

California had a strong harvest last year and is back with another one, currently estimated at 10.2 million 18-pound equivalent boxes, she said. The first industry estimate in the Northwest was 20.9 million 20-pound equivalent boxes, an increase from last year.  

The main difference is that the two states are expected to have less overlap and retailers will have more weeks of sales in the season.

“The timing is better in California, where the harvest started in late April,” Shales said. “We are entering the peak promotion period and will be able to secure promotions for Memorial Day and have promotional volumes until early June. Washington is ready to start in early June, and we see great opportunities for large cherry displays in June and for the key promotion on the 4th of July.”

Shales said that there will be good cherry supplies in July, but the volume will quickly decrease in August.

“This is because the high-altitude orchards were hit by a frost in January that caused winter damage and significantly reduced the harvests,” she said. “Even though the cherry deal will end earlier than last year, there are still many promotional opportunities. We expect excellent quality and size of the fruits and will work hard to ensure that freshness is paramount.”

Read the full article: The Packer
Image: Stemilt

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