Washington State Cherry Deal Continues to Reign In Problems

Can you spell trouble? This is the only word to describe the Washington State cherry deal in 2010.

Here is the update:

·         The first peak was predicted to be June 18 to 24. So ads were set based on this shipping prediction. It will be like June 28^th to July 4^th instead.

·         The warmer weather that was predicted did not materialize.

·         The rain showers and wind storms have continued to cause issues in the orchards.

·          The cherries aren’t coloring up without splitting

·          The sugars are at minimum range due to lack of warm weather.

·         The size of the fruit will peak on 11row in most areas.

·         The higher quality fruit is being diverted to export packs

·         Bing cherries will start in earnest around June 23^rd a week later than first predicted.

·         The crop is predicted to be 12 to 14 million boxes. We believe after shippers start packing 10 to 12 million should be expected.

·         In general the ad lids were set too low and for the wrong size, thus many chain stores will not receive what they ordered for the big July 4th ad period.

·         Prices should remain in the high to mid $40 for Red cherries for the entire crop on 10 ½ row and larger.

·         The 11 and 11 ½ row cherry will be priced much less than  10 ½ row  cherries

·         The Rainier crop will be very high priced on export product due to field damage.

·         Expect better quality if the weather cooperates in July.  The second week of July could be a real good week to buy 11 row cherries sugar and crunch concerned.