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Northwest cherry growers gathered in Yakima on a frigid Friday morning for the 81st annual Cherry Institute, sharing stories of overcoming adversity, the latest in horticultural research, a sober analysis of last year’s market, and optimism for the future. We welcomed an inspiring keynote speaker who shared his outlook. .
“With the right spread, you could sell 26 million boxes and sell 30 million boxes at a profit,” said Robert, CEO of Domex SuperFresh Growers. Kershaw spoke during a panel discussion on cherry marketing at the Cherry Institute’s annual meeting. In contrast, the compressed 2023 crop was like trying to force 6 inches of water through a 2-inch pipe. “Cherries have a very bright future, but this year is going to be similar to last year.”
Despite the curveballs that Mother Nature throws at us, Kershaw and fellow panelists Mike Taylor, senior vice president of Stemilt Growers, and Jeff Baldwin, director of sales for Sage Fruit Company, are confident that A strong market is expected, and he emphasized that the 2023 market will be an anomaly. , is not the new normal.
“Growers in the North West did a great job growing great fruit, but they weren’t rewarded for it (in 2023). That’s heartbreaking,” he said. However, climatic conditions created record overlap with California, but this did not drive a planned expansion into the Northwest marketing space. “While there are factors that move crops back and forth, the California grower community is planting for the early to mid-May marketing period.”
Looking ahead, Taylor said it is clear that quality will drive the market.
“The consumer experience just keeps getting better and better. We’ve come this far and we can’t be any more optimistic,” he said.
cherry king
The enthusiasm that has characterized Taylor’s more than 40-year career was rewarded when the industry named him the 79th Cherry King.
“I love the product, but more than that I love the people,” Taylor said.
Pat Sullivan, the 2023 Cherry King, placed the crown on Taylor’s head.
Taylor grew up in a cherry orchard in Yakima, and the first time he managed one was when he was 14 years old, when his mother drove him there, Sullivan said in introducing Taylor.
He joined Stemilt’s sales team in 1994 and helped grow retail sales by pioneering consumer packaging. He currently serves as the company’s senior vice president and is known for his zealous pursuit of higher prices for fruit.
Taylor has served on numerous fruit industry committees, including the Washington Cherry Marketing Commission, the Washington Department of Agriculture, the Processed Pear Commission, and the Northwest Pear Bureau. In December, he received the Silver Pear Award at the Washington State Fruit Tree Association Annual Meeting.
He and his family of five still have an orchard near Wenatchee that grows apples, pears and about 300 acres of cherries.
Northwest Cherry Growers, which represents growers in five Western states, created the Cherry King Award in 1945. Winners are nominated and selected each year by previous winners.
inspiring keynote speech
Former NFL linebacker Shaquem Griffin gave a moving keynote speech at the lunch about relying on family and faith to overcome doubt, fear and adversity.
Griffin was born with amniotic syndrome, which meant that the fingers on his left hand were underdeveloped and extremely sensitive to pain. Doctors amputated his hand when he was four years old. He, along with his twin brother Shaquille, went on to star high school and college football in Florida. Both brothers were drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
Griffin said losing his hand freed him up to play rough sports with his brothers, and asked the lunch crowd: My own? “
Griffin will retire in 2022, join NFL Legends, a group of former players who mentor current players, and now works as a motivational speaker and advocate for disability inclusion.
Shaquil Griffin currently plays for the Carolina Panthers.
He was asked one question related to fruit. The question was, how do you think the fruit industry should market cherries? He suggested social media, especially videos that show the effort behind the product. I find this fascinating in all areas and topics.
“Promote your work,” he said.
—Written by Kate Prengman and Ross Courtney
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