The disastrous 2009 Northwest cherry deal could be a catalyst for change, resulting in a stronger industry, industry representatives said during a panel discussion at the Washington State Horticultural Association’s annual meeting. Last season, the Northwest cherry industry packed 22.5 million boxes of fresh cherries, more than double the short crop of 2008. The crop matured in the late districts at almost the same time as the early districts, with the result that packers could not cope with the large volume of fruit coming in at the same time and some growers left blocks unharvested. Because the season was late, […]