Looking back on the 2016 season, how did things go for the industry with respect toproduction and fruit quality? Will shipments top the 20m carton mark this year?
BJ Thurlby: The 2016 season, like all Northwest cherry seasons before it, was different in its own unique way. We saw the earliest start on record with the first shipments for the industry on 11 May. The industry also set a record for May shipments this year with over 700,000 (9.1kg) cartons shipped.June also was a record month for volume as we shipped just over 12m cartons this year. What we feared to be another record hot summer season turned out to be much more mild than expected and the trees rewarded us with some of the best fruit I’ve seen.As of 4 August, the industry had shipped nearly 20.8m cartons.
Did optical grading and sorting technology make a difference in pack-out and overall fruit quality for the industry after the rain events of mid-July?
BT: Even in hot summers we experience a rain event or two and this year was no different.Our 155,399ha growing region saw three or four different rain events.Even though the weather stayed cool, most growers lost a portion of their crop at some point.The industry’s commitment to precision technology, like laser optic sizers and sorters, came in very handy in 2016. I have spoken to several growers that appeared to have as much as 50 per cent damage in their orchards and could not have picked if their packer didn’t have this new technology. Amazingly, the fruit that ended up in a box was optimal quality.This new packing technology allowed these growers to pick where a few years ago they would have ended up with nothing.
How was demand from export markets this year? What were the leadingdestinations in the Asia Pacific Rim? Did e-commerce in China grow again for Northwest Cherries in 2016? How did Korea perform?
BT: This year our industry promotion programmes and high-quality fruit drove sales in all of our export markets. While the e-commerce for Northwest cherries continues to grow in China, the bricks-and-mortar retailers did most of the heavy lifting when it came to getting a consumer to purchase cherries.
Generally speaking, the Asia Pacific region was a shining star for Northwest cherries this year.As of the beginning of August, China/Hong Kong had absorbed 1.96m cartons, with Korea close behind with just over 1m cartons.Taiwan received to 450,000 cartons and South East Asia region – comprised of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, where we are running promotion programmes – has absorbed over 250,000 cartons so far this season.Australia also came on strong in the late season and will surpass 200,000 cartons this despite the weakness of the Australian dollar.
Any other observations on the 2016 season as well as for future seasons?
BT: Our Northwest Cherry Growers promotional programmes will run into August.While ocean shipments were limited this year mostly due to the above mentioned rain issues, there is fruit on the water heading to Asia and our programmes will support movement of this product upon its arrival.
