About a month ago, harvest of cherries in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. started, which was right around the average historically. Temperatures leading up to harvest were cooler than normal and the growing conditions resulted in a lighter crop load across the board. "However, with each cherry having more space to develop, maturity stayed on track," says Tyler Johnson with Rainier Fruit. "The lighter fruit set has also translated into fantastic fruit quality and excellent size," he added.
Hedging against weather impact
The cooler temperatures have continued into harvest. "So far, the weather during harvest has been a little tricky," shared Johnson. "The first month of harvest was dominated by cooler temperatures and some wind, but we're getting into better weather going forward." Years like this are an important reminder why it is worth investing in the orchards. Protective netting, in-field hydrocoolers and trellis plantings can play an important role in hedging against Mother Nature's whims.
For premium varieties like Skeena and Rainier, the company's fruit skews heavy. "These varieties really stand out on the shelf and offer a great eating experience," Johnson commented. "This season is certainly not a record crop overall, but there is room for promotions."
For more information:
Tyler Johnson
Rainier Fruit
[email protected]