The Cherry Institute will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Washington.

The annual meeting for cherry growers is hosted by the Washington State Fruit Commission and will feature talks on growers’ cost of production, market dynamics in recent cherry seasons, updates on promotions from the Northwest Cherries team, and the latest on new Washington State University cherry varieties, using plant growth regulators for cherry quality, and bacterial canker management. 

A longtime leader in the cherry industry will also be recognized as the Cherry King and celebrated for 30 years of contributions to the industry.

The meeting includes a trade show of leading companies that provide equipment, services and support to cherry growers across the Northwest.

The luncheon speaker, retail analyst Adam Brohimer of Luminary Insights, will share findings of an analysis — commissioned especially for the Cherry Institute — on the dynamics of cherry FOBs, volume and retail price during recent seasons. 

Good Fruit Grower magazine, which is published by the Washington State Fruit Commission, will celebrate its 80th year of publication with a happy hour in the trade show. 

Pre-registration is available online through Dec. 19 at: nwcherries.com/industry-news. Meeting registration, including lunch and the keynote speaker, is $50, while the meeting-only registration is $20. Spanish translation services will be available — just go to the registration desk and ask for a headset and link to download the meeting app. 

Registrants will also receive an email with details about a pre-meeting orchard tour, to be hosted by WSU’s Matt Whiting, in the upper Yakima Valley on Tuesday afternoon.