Raspberry harvest a big one for Whatcom County farmers

DAVE GALLAGHER - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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With the help of decent weather, this year's raspberry crop turned out to be nearly a record-breaker for Whatcom County.

According to the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, county farmers harvested 58.5 million pounds of the berry this summer, an increase of 21.3 percent over last year. This year's harvest nearly matched the record crop of 58.7 million pounds, set in 2005.

All of the factors in a harvest worked out well this year, including the timing of the weather, said Henry Bierlink, the commission's executive director. It was hot and dry during the pollination season last spring, so the bees were active, and the crucial harvest period in July and August generally saw warm days without wind or a freak hailstorm, allowing farmers to pick the berries without major problems.

"It was about as perfect a harvest as you could get, weather-wise," Bierlink said. "There was also a significant reinvestment in raspberries because the prices were fairly good. Overall, the industry is very healthy."

Ralph Minaker, a raspberry farmer near Everson, agreed, adding that there also were more plantings this year as farmers continued to rotate fields.

The price for raspberries also may have motivated farmers. When averaged to include all types of raspberry grades, county farmers received about $1 a pound this year. Last year, the price was closer to $1.75 a pound, a level local farmers had not seen before, Bierlink said.

"This year's price is off from 2008, but it's still a good price," Bierlink said.

The commission will hold its annual meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Lynden fire station at 307 19th St. to look ahead to the 2010 season and make budget plans. The public is invited.

WHATCOM COUNTY RASPBERRY PRODUCTION

A look at the amount of raspberries harvested in Whatcom County since 2001:

2009: 58.5 million pounds

2008: 48.2 million pounds

2007: 47.8 million pounds

2006: 49.2 million pounds

2005: 58.7 million pounds

2004: 45.9 million pounds

2003: 54.5 million pounds

2002: 58.4 million pounds

2001: 57.5 million pounds

SOURCE: Washington Red Raspberry Commission