Washington State Tree Fruit Association President Jon DeVaney reports that the Northwest cherry crop is developing well, with growers noting good fruit size and color as harvest activity increases across the region. The positive early quality report comes after several consecutive seasons that were heavily impacted by weather-related challenges. Harvest activity is ramping up across Washington.
Earlier coverage flagged that the season was opening and that one major grower was targeting strong July 4th volume. This is a separate, confirming data point from the industry's main trade association — and it adds important texture. After years of weather disruption, buyers will want to know whether quality is actually holding up, not just that fruit is moving. Early color and size indications are the key variables going into peak shipping windows.
Buyers and category managers building July 4th and summer promotions around Northwest cherries should feel more confident with this confirmation from the WSTFA. Keep watching pack-out data as volume builds — early quality doesn't always hold across the full harvest window.