WENATCHEE, WA - Oneonta is anticipating yet another excellent cherry season this summer with the first shipments of Northwest cherries expected to hit retailers soon.

Scott Marboe, Oneonta’s Marketing Director, said in a press release that a warm spring initially accelerated the season, but May weather patterns have adjusted the start date to a “little closer to normal, but still much earlier than previous years.”

Oneonta foresees fruit shipping through the first week of August. Rainier cherries will start earlier than normal, around June 8, according to a press release.

“Cooler weather the last few weeks and much needed rain showers have moved harvest dates back a few days,” Marboe continued. “We are now looking for our first pickings to be May 29. That is still an early start date, but it’s not the record pre-Memorial Day we thought might happen.”

The crop this season is showing great quality and sizing is up to par, as well. Marboe noted that the first fruit from early orchards will be smaller in size, but bigger fruit will be more prevalent after the first few days of the shipping season.

“We anticipate another excellent year, barring any incidents Mother Nature might throw at us,” he said.

For a more in-depth look at the company's cherry production, check out the video from Oneonta below.

Oneonta offers a wide array of packaging options, including the Euro 12/2.25-pound pouch bags for domestic markets and loose clamshells and 5kg packaging for offshore receivers.

Also this year, Oneonta’s Wenatchee packing facility has introduced a 100 percent optical sorting and packing line.

“Another new Unitec line with Vision II technology is going to provide an exceptional piece of fruit to the industry,” said Marboe.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the cherry season.

Oneonta