Cherry Production - Release

Cherry
Production
Washington, D.C.

Released June 18, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information
on Cherry Production call Fred Granja at (202) 720-4288, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Tart Cherry Production Up 32 Percent
U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 284 million pounds, 32 percent above the 2008 production and up 12 percent from
2007.
Michigan, the largest producing State, expects a crop of 220 million pounds, up 33 percent from the 2008 crop and 12 percent
above 2007. Although the cool spring delayed crop development slightly in the northwest region, the crop was reported as
excellent. Pollination was hampered by cool, wet conditions in the southwest and west central regions.
Washington expects to produce 17.5 million pounds of tart cherries in 2009, up 40 percent from 2008 and 52 percent higher
than 2007. A very cold winter and a cooler than normal spring did not have a negative impact on cherry production this year.
Utah production is forecast at 23.0 million pounds, up 15 percent from both 2008 and 2007. There were no reports of freeze
damage this year and growers were expecting high yields.
New York is expected to produce 8.40 million pounds of tart cherries, 13 percent lower than the 2008 crop and 26 percent
below 2007. Frost damage and cool weather reduced tart cherry yields in parts of the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie regions.
The cherry crop in the Hudson Valley was reported as good.
Pennsylvania expects to produce 3.70 million pounds of tart cherries, 5 percent below 2008 but up 6 percent from 2007. Tart
cherry growers were anticipating a good crop.
Oregon's production is forecast at 2.70 million pounds, down 4 percent from 2008 but 440 percent above the production in
2007. Growing conditions were ideal in Oregon's cherry producing regions.
Wisconsin production is forecast at 8.30 million pounds, up significantly from last year when an early January warm spell and
sudden freeze severely reduced fruit production. Some growers reported a late season due to periods of cold, wet weather but
the crop is much improved from last season's poor crop.

Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States,
2007-2008 and Forecasted 2009
State

Total Production
2007

2008

2009

Million Pounds

Million Pounds

Million Pounds

MI
NY
OR
PA
UT
WA
WI

196.0
11.3
0.5
3.5
20.0
11.5
10.4

165.0
9.6
2.8
3.9
20.0
12.5
0.6

220.0
8.4
2.7
3.7
23.0
17.5
8.3

US

253.2

214.4

283.6

Fr Nt 2-4 (6-09)

Sweet Cherry Production Up 52 Percent
U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 374,500 tons, up 52 percent from 2008 and 21 percent above 2007.
The Washington crop forecast of 200,000 tons is 11 percent higher than the June forecast, up 100 percent from 2008, and
27 percent above the production in 2007. A very cold winter combined with an excellent bloom benefitted the 2009 crop.
Newer plantings also came into production, increasing production potential.
Production in California is forecast at 75,000 tons, 13 percent lower than the 2008 production and 12 percent below 2007.
The California forecast is carried forward from June. Spring weather generated occasional rain and cool temperatures for
California's sweet cherry crop. Storms in early-June caused some damage to Brooks and Burlat varieties.
Oregon production is forecast at 65,000 tons, 8 percent higher than the June forecast and up 117 percent from 2008. Good
growing conditions and ideal fruit set resulted in expectations for an excellent crop.
The Michigan crop is forecast at 28,000 tons, 6 percent above the 2008 production and 3 percent higher than the 2007 crop.
Overall crop condition was rated mostly good to excellent.
Idaho is expecting a sweet cherry crop of 4,000 tons, up 111 percent from last year and 167 percent higher than 2007. Idaho's
sweet cherry crop experienced an excellent bloom and only limited frost. Growers were expecting an excellent crop.
New York production is forecast at 1,100 tons, 5 percent above the 2008 crop but 8 percent lower than 2007. The majority of
sweet cherries had a big bloom and the crop looked good. Only a few growers were affected by frost this year.
Utah production is expected to total 1.40 tons, up significantly from 2008 and 12 percent above 2007. Although 2009
production was affected by cold spring weather, growing conditions were much improved from last year when nearly the
entire crop was lost due to freezes, cold temperatures, and no blossoms.

Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States,
2007-2008 and Forecasted 2009
State

Total Production
2007

2008

Tons

Tons

2009
Tons

CA 1
ID
MI
MT 2
NY
OR
UT
WA

85,000
1,500
27,300
2,440
1,190
35,000
1,250
157,000

86,000
1,900
26,500
1,560
1,050
30,000
50
100,000

1,100
65,000
1,400
200,000

US

310,680

247,060

374,500

1
2

75,000
4,000
28,000

Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 10, 2009.
The first estimate for 2009 sweet cherries in MT will be published in the January 2010 Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2009 Preliminary Summary.

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Cherry Production
June 2009

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA