Growing sweet cherries is always a bit of a gamble, and the 2013 season for the US Pacific Northwest industry has proven to be particularly challenging.
Pre-season expectations had been for a possible record crop eclipsing last year’s record 22.3m cartons (9.1 kg equivalents).
However, a series of weather event of frosts, rain and heat have reduced estimated packout to just 14.2 m cartons, according to the Northwest Cherry Growers’ (NWCG) latest estimate.
“It’s been anything but a fun season so far,” said Randy Eckert of Yakima Fresh.
“Mother Nature reminded us that she’s ultimately in charge and this year she’s brought the industry to its knees.”
Marc Pflugrath of Columbia Marketing International agrees.
“It’s been a battle since the very beginning (of the season),” Pflugrath said.
“The late varieties, such as Sweet Heart and Skeena, are expected to be in better shape but I’m a grower and if my orchards are any indication then the late deal is not all that strong.”
Dave Martin of Stemilt Growers said the second half of the season should be better.
“The fruit we’ll be picking from now on was less impacted by the extreme weather as it was relatively immature,' Martin explained.
“Still, the deal will not go nearly as late into the summer as recent seasons.”
Martin said most of the Pacific Northwest cherry industry should be finished picking by 24 August, whereas the 2012 season went into the first week of September.
The NWCG is currently projecting shipments of 7.8 m cartons in July and just 1.8 m cartons for August, compared to 13.3m and 4.5m cartons respectively for the same months in 2012.
“The July harvest is condensed and August is shaping up to be very light,” said Martin.
“But we should finish on a high note as the late fruit is looking quite good for quality and is very large. Still, no one would be shocked if the packout ended up being less than 12 million cartons this season.”
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