California Stone Fruit Season Starts With Promises of a Sweet Summer!

The first varieties of stone fruit have begun to arrive from our grower partners in California. While the Northwest remains decidedly in the clutch of springtime’s cool temps and intermittent showers, these juicy gems are a delicious reminder that warmer days are on the way!

OGC welcomed first of the season red cherries last week from our friends at Fruit World. Limited in quantity to start and with pricing to match, expect these succulent ruby beauts to level out as volume increases. Supply out of California is predicted to be a short window this year, so grab red cherries while you can! The first Rainier cherries will land in mid-May, to add their blushed golden hues to fruit sets. The Northwest cherry season is also predicted to be tight due to recent hailstorms, so encourage eaters to scoop up these tasty treats while they last!

Nectarines and peaches have also made their first appearance! Stronger volume on peaches will arrive by mid-May and we’re hoping even earlier for nectos. Both look to be on track for a fantastic season, which will be sure to please your customers!

Also just in, the first early season apricots have landed in all their golden glory. The start to the ‘cot season will be a slow one, but mid- to late-season varieties have not been impacted by frost in the same way early varieties have, so remain patient as more volume will be here before we know it!

Plums and pluots are both about a month out, but once they arrive are expected to be in great volume and fantastic quality. The first trickle of Early Queen plums and Flavorosa pluots should arrive in the middle of May and will mark the start to the well-loved, delicious and months-long season for these sensational stone fruits.

Stay tuned as more seasonal updates, educational material and resources are shared to help you and your eaters get the most out of the stone fruit season!