WENATCHEE, Wash. – An even stronger Stemilt emerges following today’s announcement that it will join forces with Dovex Fruit Company to become the leading tree fruit growing, packing and marketing operation in the nation. 

“Stemilt has embarked on a strong pattern of growth over the past decade, and we are excited to continue this growth by bringing Dovex into our operations,” said West Mathison, Stemilt president. “By integrating the strengths of our two companies, we look to continue delivering premium fruits to the marketplace, while extending the programs and services we provide to our valued customers.”

Through the deal, Dovex Marketing and Packing will combine into Stemilt’s operations, and the high-quality fruit that both companies are known for will be marketed under the Stemilt label. The Dovex Export Company will continue to function independently. Stemilt will gain approximately 175,000 bins of fruit storage and a state-of-the-art apple packing facility. The Dovex facility neighbors Stemilt’s primary packing and shipping facility, Olds Station.

“The close proximity of the two packing facilities is expected to drive continuity into Stemilt’s operations,” said West Mathison. 

On the farming side, Dovex Orchards will proudly become a grower for Stemilt, adding to the company’s growth in apples, pears, cherries, stone fruit and organics over the past decade. The combination with Dovex strengthens Stemilt’s leadership in Washington-grown conventional and organic apples and pears. Stemilt already enjoys a strong leadership role in cherries, organic stone fruit and Wenatchee River Valley pears with its own manifest and through existing marketing partnerships with Douglas Fruit and Peshastin Hi-Up. In total, Stemilt will have an excess of 17,000 captive acres owned by itself and its marketing partners heading into the 2010 summer and fall harvests.

Additionally, Stemilt is excited to have Jay Fulbright, general manager of Dovex Fruit Company, join its executive team. Mauro Felizia, executive vice president of Dovex Holding Company, will become a new member on Stemilt’s Board of Directors. 

“Dovex Fruit Company is excited to join the marketing strengths of Stemilt and leverage the proximity of our facilities,” said Jay Fulbright, general manager at Dovex.

Both Stemilt and Dovex are family-run companies that started decades ago with similar goals centered on providing consumers worldwide with access to a year-round supply of the best fresh fruit available. Stemilt was founded in 1964 by the late Tom Mathison, while the De Nadai family established Dovex in 1982. The De Nadai family has developed fruit operations worldwide for three generations.

“Stemilt and Dovex were founded on similar principles that directly relate to our mission of building consumer demand for tree fruit in order to deliver return to the land,” said West Mathison. “By bringing together the strengths of our organizations, Stemilt will be able to offer the most complete menu of products and services within our industry, providing great solutions for growers and retailers alike.”

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About Stemilt: Stemilt Growers, Inc. is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is the nation’s leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the largest suppliers of organic tree fruits. Stemilt has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program.



Dovex is the only grower/packer/shipper of Tosca Pears in the U.S. The first Tosca’s will become available for shipment on August 19th. Be sure to call in advance to get your pre-orders, they are sure to be sold out quickly. Conventional Tosca’s will start to be harvested first followed by Organic.

2009 Estimated Harvest Dates.pdfThe Washington State apple estimate was released for the 2009 crop. It looks to be another good supply year. Last year we will end with a total of 109 million boxes of apples shipped. This year the crop has been estimated at 107 million boxes or slightly less than last years crop. The variety with the biggest increase this year is the Galas, which moved from 20 million boxes last year to almost 22 million this year. That is a 6.4% increase over last year. Cripps Pink also saw a large increase of over 15%. A big drop looks to be in store for Golden Delicious. Due to a off bearing year the crop is estimated to be over 13% smaller. Another variety, Fuji’s, looks to be down 9% from last year. The biggest estimated drop looks to be in Cameos, which are estimated to have a 20% less supply than last year. All other varieties should be on course to similar numbers as last year. On a whole it looks to be another good year for promoting apples and pears. Quality looks to be good and pricing will be competitive. The first of our crop looks to be Galas, which will start somewhere around August 24^th. For more Dovex harvest dates click on picture to the right.

In less than thirty days, Dovex will start harvesting Washington pears. Our first variety out of the gate will be a unique offering, the Tosca. Dovex is the only growers who offer this early and tasty pear. Tosca’s parentage comes from the Coscia /Williams pears and is grown extensively in Italy. It is medium pear shaped, with a skin that is green to yellow green and has a slight blush. It’s flesh is creamy white and it taste is sweet, smooth and juicy. The Tosca is always crisp to the bite and a bit exotic to the taste buds. It is great for a snack and wonderful in salads. At Dovex we grow 80% of our Tosca’s organically and pick them at the point of optimum sweetness and freshness. Unfortunately they are only available for about four weeks, middle of August through the middle of September. If you are retailer, supplies are limited, so it is important to set up a program with our sales staff soon. If you are a consumer, ask your local grocery store to offer them. You know where to get them, at Dovex, helping you grow everyday.

Early estimates on the 2009 Apple crop are beginning to come in. What we see in the orchards seems to be the indicator of a great crop this year and will be promoting larger sizes. Last year after a severe frost the crop was cut down by almost 30%, sizing was very small; many orchards, which would normally peak on 80-88’s, were peaking on 100’s and 113’s. This made for a very bag heavy crop and premiums paid on larger sizes. This year there has been very little adverse weather, good pollination and great growing conditions. We should see abundant 72 through 88 sizing. Weather has been warm, dry and sunny, which are also indicators of great color and good sugars. With the new Apple crop year approaching it is definitely time to start putting fall programs together. Dovex is always here as your Organic Apple and Pear connection. 

This year the Northwest is experiencing one of the largest Cherry crops it has ever seen in industry history. Largest crop year to date has been 14.9 million boxes. This year we were estimated at over 18 million box crop. Usually many problems accompany crop increases this large and certainly that has been the case this year. We have seen smaller sizing and so much fruit that it has been very hard to get it all in the box. The bright news is, that cherry prices at retail are at the lowest levels in 15 years. As an industry we have seen record movement and as an industry we are just about to climb over the peak of the glut. What does this mean, better pricing, better cherries and an outlook for retail success as our conventional and organic cherry season continues. As we start harvesting some of our newer more exciting varieties such as Skeena’s and Sweetheart’s, not only will you see larger sizing, you will also see some of the sweetest tasting cherries of the year. As the summer progresses this is certainly something to look forward to.

Skeena - Large, round, firm cherry with dark red to black skin. Ripens about 10-14 days after Bing. Fruit is juicy, sweet and good eating quality.Sweetheart - a large, bright red cherry maturing one week to ten days after Lapins. Medium to large fruit, moderate cracking, very good firmness and good flavor.

This last week Dovex has started Apricot Harvest. The crop seems to be a normal sized crop with medium to large sizing. We expect great taste and great color this year. The overall organic Apricot is a little down, so be sure to get your place in line quick. This year Dovex is offering Cots in a 1 lb and 2 lb clamshell. So far this year this format seems to be a popular seller. 

We are about a week to 10 days away from harvesting our first Peaches. The first variety out of the gate will be Earlirich and then Sierra Rich.The Earlirich is a low acid, high sugar and high color peach. It is very firm with a good shelf life. It has great eating Quality. This is a great tasting clingstone peach.

 The Sierra Rich is another great low acid, high sugar, yellow fleshed peach. It has bright color and is very sweet. If you are a Retailer or Wholesaler, get your orders in quick; these popular varieties will not last long.

Dovex will start shipping Apricots on July 6th, the first varieties out of the gate will be Rival’s and Perfections. Sizing looks good, most will be packed in Panta Packs, below are description and pictures.Nothing else but the perfect apricot. This strong and hardy tree bears large and oval fruit with bright orange yellow color and a firm texture. Excellent for fresh eating as well as canning and preserves.Rival fruit are large and oval, with equal halves. It has firm, deep orange flesh with a fine texture. It has a mild flavor with low acidity. The fruits have a solid glossy red blush over 30 to 70% of the surface with some small red speckles. The firm flesh was fairly dry, fruits are aromatic, and the slightly tart flavor was rated good to very good.

On June 27th, Dovex will have fresh available organic cherries for shipping from it’s Wenatchee packing plant. The first variety to be harvested will be Bings, with Rainiers to follow in less than a week after. Please call one of our Sales Professionals for an update on availablility.

The first of Washington’s record 18 million box crop of cherries is heading toward retail stores in the U. S.. The first varieties harvested will be Chelan and Tieton. Sizing looks to be Medium . Bings will start harvesting around the 22nd. It is expected that Washington will begin to peak in cherry production on June 28th. By this time there should be a very good supply of promotable cherries to fill the retail shelves. There will be a lack of very large Cherries, however 10 ½ row and larger should be readably available. Pricing should be competitive.