January 1, 2026

Outlook

Featured stories about the outlook for the tree fruit and grape growing industries in 2026, plus the kickoff for Good Fruit Grower’s 80th anniversary — and more — in this issue.

January 1, 2026 — Digital Issue

A 1995 International Fruit Tree Association (known then as the Dwarf Fruit Tree Association) tour attendee takes pictures of orchards in South Tyrol in northern Italy. IFTA’s international tours showcase fruit-growing methods around the world. (Good Fruit Grower archive photo)

Still growing, still learning with IFTA

A positive latitude for Ontario wine grapes

In July, Deep Brar was excited about the developing crop on these seventh-leaf Staccato trees, because 2025 would be his first harvest in the block after back-to-back losses from cold damage. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Bittersweet cherry season in British Columbia

Ian Chandler, president of the Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission, in a Bing cherry block he leases in The Dalles, Oregon. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Oregon cherry growers in a state of frustration

Insights from 80 years of good fruit growing

B.J. Thurlby leads the proceedings at the 2024 Cherry Institute in Yakima, Washington. Thurlby has retired after 25 years as president of the Washington State Fruit Commission, which hosts the annual Cherry Institute. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Northwest cherries hold a bit of magic

Welch’s processing facility in Grandview, Washington. The state’s Concord grape growers on contract with Welch’s received more than $300 per ton in 2025. Growers who sold on the cash market averaged about half that. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

Concord conundrum

Crews harvest Bartlett processing pears in August at Sundquist Fruit and Cold Storage near Selah, Washington. The closure of Del Monte’s Yakima processing facility in 2025, and its subsequent bankruptcy filing, left a glut of pears that rippled through the entire market, canned and fresh. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Northwest pears facing large crop and small market — Video

Good Stuff, January 1, 2026

Lupe Muñoz, left, supervises cherry harvest in mid-June for River Valley Fruit near Grandview, Washington. Looking back on the 2025 season, industry leaders say a large volume of fruit at the start of the Northwest season hit the market when prices were still too high, and sales struggled. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

Prengaman: Charting a cherry conversation

Dininny: 80 years and counting

80th Anniversary Cover

2000: How can a grower make a living?

1946: Good Average Prices Expected

1950: Hort Board Asks Chance To Talk

Josh Bailey, a young grower from Williamson, New York

Michigan hort society gives Bodtke and Rothwell Distinguished Service Awards

From left, Good Fruit Grower managing editor Shannon Dininny and the DeMarree family, Alison, Kristen and Tom, the 2025 Good Fruit Growers of the Year. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Washington fruit industry honors excellence and leaders at annual awards banquet

University of Minnesota launches Superior Fruit Innovations to expand access to premium varieties

Yakima Valley farmer Chelsea Durfey Campbell, right, accepts the Lloyd H. Porter Grower of the Year Award

Durfey Campbell, Moyer earn Washington State Grape Society awards