Cherry Production - Publication

Cherry Production
ISSN: 1948-9072

Released June 28, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Tart Cherry Production Down 68 Percent
United States tart cherry production is forecast at 73.1 million pounds, down 68 percent from the 2011 production.
In Michigan, normally the largest producing State, record high temperatures in early spring led to premature development
of trees. This was followed by below normal temperatures and continual frost events throughout the State. Additionally,
pollination conditions were poor. The majority of growers lost all of their harvestable crop this year.
In Washington, winter conditions were moderate and warm spring conditions allowed for an excellent bloom. Weather
during the bloom period was mild, allowing for good pollination.
Production in Utah is expected to be similar to last year’s level.
All areas of New York were hit extremely hard with freezing temperatures that followed warm March weather. This
weather sequence resulted in a record low production forecast.
Production prospects in Pennsylvania are below last year due to spring frost.
Oregon growers reported a good blossom set and pollination levels.
In Wisconsin, early warm spring temperatures caused trees to bud, followed by several days with temperatures below
freezing at night.
Tart Cherry Production – States and United States: 2010, 2011, and Forecasted 2012
State

Total production
2010

2011

(million pounds)

2012

(million pounds)

(million pounds)

Michigan ...................................................................
New York ..................................................................
Oregon .....................................................................
Pennsylvania ............................................................
Utah ..........................................................................
Washington ..............................................................
Wisconsin .................................................................

135.0
7.8
1.2
2.3
23.0
15.4
5.7

157.5
5.9
2.5
3.2
35.0
20.9
6.7

5.5
1.1
2.5
2.5
34.0
27.0
0.5

United States ............................................................

190.4

231.7

73.1

Sweet Cherry Production Up 11 Percent
United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 382,150 tons, up 11 percent from 2011.
Washington growers reported excellent weather this year. Winter conditions were moderate and warm spring conditions
allowed for an excellent bloom and resulted in good pollination levels.
California growers reported a good growing season, with little adverse weather during the critical bloom and
developmental periods.
Idaho growers reported favorable growing conditions for their crop.
In Michigan, record high temperatures early in the spring caused a premature development of trees. This was followed by
below normal temperatures and continual frost events later in the season, leading to a significantly smaller crop than
normal.
New York growers reported that warm temperatures in March followed by freezing temperatures in April drastically
reduced their production potential.
Most Oregon growers reported a very good bloom and good pollination levels.
The Utah crop is rebounding from last year’s frost damaged season.
Sweet Cherry Production – States and United States: 2010, 2011, and Forecasted 2012
[Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
State

Total production
2010

2011

(tons)

2012

(tons)

(tons)

California ..................................................................
Idaho .........................................................................
Michigan ...................................................................
Montana 1 .................................................................
New York ..................................................................
Oregon ......................................................................
Utah ..........................................................................
Washington ...............................................................

97,000
1,900
15,100
2,470
1,000
38,150
1,100
156,000

75,000
2,800
18,600
2,015
700
43,200
800
200,000

250
53,000
1,600
235,000

United States ............................................................

312,720

343,115

382,150

1

2

85,000
4,000
3,300

The first estimate for 2012 sweet cherries in Montana will be published in the January 2013 Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2012 Preliminary Summary.

Cherry Production (June 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: Grower surveys are conducted in 9 cherry estimating States during the growing season. Producers
are contacted to obtain expected yield or production and their assessment of the current crop relative to a full crop.
Telephone follow-up of mail survey non-respondents is used to ensure adequate coverage.
Estimating Procedures: Information obtained from the cherry grower surveys along with federal administrative data is
used to establish forecasts of total production. These forecasts are reviewed for errors, reasonableness, and consistency
with historical estimates.
Revision Policy: Cherry production forecasts will not be revised. End-of-season estimates of production are made
following harvest and are subject to revision the following year based on a thorough review of all available data.
Reliability: Survey indications are subject to sampling variability because all operations growing cherries are not
included in the sample. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omission, duplication, imputation
for missing data, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. These errors cannot be measured directly,
but they are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported
data for consistency and reasonableness.

Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact
for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to [email protected]
Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch ....................................................................................................... (202) 720-2127
Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head, Fruits, Vegetables and Special Crops Section............................................ (202) 720-2127
Debbie Flippin – Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries ..................................... (202) 720-2157
Fred Granja – Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco .............................................. (202) 720-4288
Chris Hawthorn – Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Sugar Crops, Tropical Fruits ........................................ (202) 720-5412
Dave Losh – Hops ............................................................................................................................ (360) 709-2400
Dan Norris – Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mint,
Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas, Dry Beans .................................................. (202) 720-3250
Daphne Schauber – Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes .............................................. (202) 720-4285
Erika White – Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts ....................................................... (202) 720-4215

Cherry Production (June 2012)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

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