California Bings lighter than last year, but volume up on early varieties

No official estimate was available at this writing, but industry sources suggest that the total California cherry crop for 2008 could be similar in volume to last year's record 7.5 million boxes. Bings, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of the state's total cherry volume last year, will be a little lighter this year. However, the early cherry varieties such as Brooks, Tulare and Sequoia are expected to be up in volume, due largely to new plantings coming into production or young plantings coming into fuller production. "Currently, all indications are that it is going to be a good season," said Larelle Miller, a sales representative at All State Packers Inc. in Lodi, CA. "It looks like the cherries will be clean. We should have a good-size crop. It is no limb buster, but I think there will be plenty of fruit for everyone, possibly comparable to last year's in terms of total volume." Ms. Miller also expects sizing to be good on the cherries. "I think there is excitement in the marketplace" for the new California cherry crop "both in the international market and the domestic market," she said. "The size looks good, and the crop is pretty clean," said Craig Ito, president of Ito Packing Co. Inc. in Reedley, CA. "The cherries look like they are running a couple of days earlier than last year." He expected to start Brooks around April 27 or 28.
"I think it is looking really good in the southern district," said Berton Costamagna, vice president of Delta Packing Co. in Lodi, CA. "Honestly, the southern district looks like one of the largest crops we have ever had down there," starting with Brooks and Tulares.