Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34759
Opportunities for cherry exports More cherries are likely to be shipped in August than ever before. by Geraldine Warner T he Pacific Northwest cherry har- vest is running later than usual this year, which could open up opportunities in export markets. Because of a late spring, ship- ments were expected to peak after the Fourth of July weekend, which is a crucial time for cherry promotions and sales. However, the season has been more extended, resulting in more cherries to ship at the end of the season, in August. B.J. Thurlby, president of Northwest Cherry Growers, which represents pro- ducers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana, said the lateness of the season could prove a marketing advantage in Europe, where Turkey has dominated in recent years. Turkey is the world’s largest producer of sweet cherries and can supply fruit at lower prices than U.S. producers can. Thurlby said the Northwest season should be late enough this year that there might be opportunities in Europe after the Turkish cherry season. “Even though the euro and the pound are a little weaker, we’re late enough that we might see something special happen in Europe,” he said. “I’m thinking we’re going to have a great run in Europe in the last two weeks of August and even into September.” West Mathison at Stemilt Growers, Inc., Wenatchee, Washington, which is one of the largest cherry shippers in the region and supplies some of the latest cherries, has said the industry could possibly ship five million boxes of cherries in August this season, out of the total crop estimated at around 17.2 million boxes. Banner Teresa Baggarley, international pro- gram coordinator for Northwest Cherry Growers, said 2011 could be a banner year for cherry exports because of the weak dollar and growth of the economies in emerging markets. Even last year, when cherry prices were high because of the rel- atively short crop, the percentage exported increased slightly to 28.4 percent of the total. Northwest cherries are being pro- moted in Asia as the best cherries in the world and an affordable luxury. Promo- tions are scheduled from the second week in July until August. Rainier cherry pro- motions will take place in mid-July. Pro- motion activities include in-store demonstrations, wholesale promotions, newspaper articles, television commer- cials, and Internet blogs. Northwest Cherry Growers also supplies point-of- sale materials and encourages retailers to expand their cherry displays. www.goodfruit.com ® For the past three years, Northwest Cherry Growers has received federal funds to do promotions in emerging mar- kets and is conducting training for retail- ers on care, handling, and merchandising of cherries in Brazil, Vietnam, and western Russia. China is becoming a major market for Northwest cherries and could take a million boxes in the coming season, Baggarley predicted. Korea and Australia could reach 300,000 boxes. Japan Thurlby said there are also high hopes for Japan, where producers can now export under a systems approach instead of fumigating the fruit. “We hope to see record sales in July and August,” he said. The total budget for promotions in export markets (excluding Canada) for 2011 is $2 million, of which $1.2 million come from federal Market Access Promo- tion funds. Another $1.6 million are allo- cated to domestic promotions. The assessment rate is $18 per ton. • “I wish everything in my life was as reliable as my Orchard-Rite ® TOM GILES Waynesboro, Mississippi My Brother John and I farm about 100 acres of blueberries and had experienced minor to significant frost losses almost every year until about 8 years ago when we purchased our first Orchard-Rite® Wind Machine. Now with four machines in operation, we have not had a major crop loss since. These machines paid for themselves in the very first year. Wind machines have by far been our best option for frost control. Overhead sprinklers have not been viable, due to our inadequate water supply necessary for massive water requirements of overhead frost protection. We’re very happy with our Orchard-Rite® Wind Machines. We whole heartily recommend the machines to all fruit growers, and most especially the auto- Start option, it will pay for itself with the fuel savings alone, not to mention the added convenience of auto start/stop. I wish everything in my life was as reliable as my Orchard- Rite® dog. We plan on adding two more Orchard-Rite® 1615 W. Ahtanum Yakima, WA 98903 509-457-9196 Sales: Rod Robert, ext 116 Virgil Anders, ext 114 Cell: 509-945-3046 Wind Machine Service For your nearest representative: www.orchard-rite.com Cascade 3766 Iroquois Lane Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-662-2753 Sales: Dave Harmening, ext 214 Dana Morgan, ext 215 Cell: 509-421-3494 GOOD FRUIT GROWER JULY 2011 7 Wind Machines—and my Wind Machines in the near future. Wind Machines—and my dog.”