Future Outlook
Shippers are confident improvements in packing technology and continued U.S. retail demand will sustain increasing volumes. Lutz points to the success of the retail pouch with both retailers and consumers, and single-serve cherry packs, targeted for the convenience market, are also gaining popularity.
As far as demand outside the United States, exports accounted for about 28 percent of the 2015 crop, according to USDA trade and production data through September. Next to Canada (accounting for 35 percent of 2015 exports), South Korea is the next biggest destination for Northwest cherries (17 percent), though China is in growth mode. The value of U.S. cherry exports to China increased from $40 million in 2012 to $65 million in 2015. There is also growth in shipping to Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
While the latter countries are not large markets, says Bailey, nevertheless, “they are growing.” Brazil is another small but strategic market for cherry sales. “Brazil doesn’t take a lot of fruit, but they’re willing to pay for high quality,” he says.
Chile is currently the world’s largest cherry exporter, with shipments to China increasing as Chilean production increases. Turkey is also a major exporter, with shipments to Russia and Iraq projected to increase for the coming 2015-16 season, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
With continual improvement in quality and volume, the U.S. fresh cherry industry is well positioned to meet the requirements of both domestic and global markets. A rare gem among today’s ever-increasing assortment of fruit and vegetables, retail stores and shoppers alike hope Lutz’s forecast for “a larger crop, both earlier and later” in the season will ring true this year and going forward.
Image: ©iStock.com/llya Terentyev
