The Northwest cherry season is underway bringing great opportunities early on for export markets. Columbia Marketing International (CMI) has pioneered the first cherry shipping box of its kind, offering a premium display option for their export customers. The high graphic lid (pictured) incorporates a picturesque scene of the Columbia River Valley, and easily pops open and folds up to create an instant, stunning retail display.
Marc Pflugrath, Director of Export Sales for CMI explained that the box was designed to reinvent the way that export markets display cherries. “We wanted a box that would measure up to the exceptional quality of cherries we are packing in it. Our cherries are hand-selected and optimally sorted and this new signature box showcases the biggest, sweetest and most flavorful fruit on the market.”
CMI’s new Cherry Pop-Top Lid is proving to be very timely with how the cherries are sizing up this season. An unseasonably mild winter followed by lots of spring sunshine has provided optimal growing conditions for the Northwest cherry crop this season. Cherries are expected to top the charts on flavor and sweetness and should be a nice repeat of the quality that we experienced in the 2014 season.
B.J. Thurlby, President of the Northwest Cherry Growers says that the warm weather has done a tremendous job of creating cell division in this year’s crop. “Size and fruit sugars should be optimal,” he said.
Initial feedback from CMI’s export customers has been incredibly positive. As the first box of its kind to enter the market, retailers love the opportunity to easily display premium Northwest cherries without removing the lid.
About CMI
Columbia Marketing International (CMI) is one of Washington State’s largest growers, shippers and packers of premium quality pears, apples, cherries and organics. Based in Wenatchee, WA, CMI delivers outstanding fruit across the U.S.A. and exports to over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.cmiapples.com
Source: Columbia Marketing International (CMI)
