Stemilt Growers, Inc., Wenatchee, Washington, plans to become a bigger player in the organic tree fruit deal and is increasing its acreage of organic cherries. The company has announced that it is working towards having 25 percent of all its fruit certified organic—double the current percentage. Marketing Director Roger Pepperl said production of organic cherries is likely to grow industrywide. He estimates that the Pacific Northwest will produce 2.75 million boxes of organic cherries this season, out of the estimated total crop of around 15 million boxes. Within a few years, as production of both conventional and organic cherries increases, […]