Superfresh Growers adds cherry line, expands production

Domex Superfresh Growers plans to expand its sweet cherry production by 30% this summer, with the addition of a packing line.

“Freshness and speed to consumers is the key to success in the cherry category,” CEO Robert Kershaw said in a news release. “It is magical when an investment improves the experience of all stakeholders in the supply chain.

Superfresh Growers was the largest and latest U.S. cherry grower and packer during the 2022 season. Its last shipments, from high-altitude orchards, extended beyond the Labor Day holiday into September.

“We expect a big year on cherries in 2023,” Conner O’Malley, Superfresh Growers president of sales, said in the release. “Our bounce-back volume from 2022 should be fantastic. Our season will be longer than ever, again extending through August.

“We are excited for the quality this new line will provide, and for the additional capacity we will deliver to the market,” O’Malley said in the release.

Domex Superfresh Growers plans to have the facility integrated and running well ahead of the arrival of the Pacific Northwest cherry crop, which is typically late May. The optical sorter line will handle dark sweet and Rainier cherries.