Kennewick’s Berry Boom Survives a Frosty Spring
Despite a brutal, record-breaking frost that stunted early harvests, the valley's strawberry growers remain confident in their competitive edge against Hood River.
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A canvass of the various berry shipping agencies in the district discloses that over seven cars of berries have been shipped from Kennewick this season. While this is not as high a volume as initially expected, the outcome is highly satisfactory given the conditions. Frosts—the first recorded at this time of year in a long time—cut off a large percentage of the early berries and blighted many more, and a backward spring further delayed growth. However, high market prices have made amends for the shortage, with crates averaging $5.00. Given that berries can be raised profitably here for $1.50 a crate, the season will bring about $15,000 into the valley. Local growers such as Rev. Mr. Bartlett, J. Sercombe, H. Delepine, R. A. Oliver, C. B. McConnell, W. S. Haxton, and A. Spence report they are more than satisfied with Kennewick's future as a berry district.
“We have never sold a berry this season for less than $4.00 a crate and we are informed that the first crate of Hood River berries were sold for $3.00 a crate.”
Kennewick's identity as an agricultural hub has shifted from strawberries to diverse crops, but the anxiety regarding weather patterns and competition from regional neighbors like Hood River remains a constant theme in the Tri-Cities' economic narrative.
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