Top Washington Grower Makes Big Organic Move

After a three-year wait, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest fruit growers has had 100% of its peach and nectarine crops certified as organic, the Associated Press reports. Stemilt Growers Inc. produces about 65% of Washington’s soft fruit, much of it now certified as organic.

Two years ago, Stemilt created a new marketing campaign known as “Artisan Naturals” to market its peaches and nectarines. The fruits were being grown organically, but had not yet been certified, so the almost-but-not-quite label allowed Stemilt to capitalize with higher prices.

Peaches and nectarines will now be sold under the “Artisan Organic” label. In addition, about 40% of the company’s apricots are organic. Washington leads the nation in organic apple, pear, and cherry acreage.

The state’s certified acres of organic apples and cherries increased by more than 60% in 2008, according to a recent study by David Granatstein, sustainable agriculture specialist with the Washington State University Extension in Wenatchee. Organic apple and pear acreage are forecasted to increase 33% and 26%, respectively, by 2010.

Stemilt is one of the nation’s largest providers of apples. Only about 12% to 15% of the company’s crop will be organic this year, but the company has plans to increase.

Overall, Stemilt plans to pack 25% of its fruit organically by the end of the decade, the company’s president, West Mathison, told American/Western Fruit Grower in a March 2008 cover story.