Cherry Production Publication

Cherry Production
ISSN: 1948-9072

Released June 24, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Tart Cherry Production Down 23 Percent
United States tart cherry production is forecast at 223 million pounds, down 23 percent from the 2014 production.
In Michigan, the largest producing State, a hard freeze during late May reduced yields significantly.
In Wisconsin, growers reported damage to trees from harsh winter weather. Several growers no longer have production
due to tree mortality.
Oregon and Utah growers expect a smaller than average crop this year. A freeze event led to loss of some trees that were
not yet dormant.
Pennsylvania growers reported a crop that will result in a relatively good production. Favorable conditions contributed to
good yields. In Washington, rains and above average temperatures during Spring, pushed maturity ahead of the normal
pace. Harvest started three weeks ahead of normal.
Tart Cherry Production – States and United States: 2013, 2014, and Forecasted 2015
State

Total production
2013

2014

(million pounds)

2015

(million pounds)

(million pounds)

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

218.7
12.0
4.3
2.2
26.8
17.9
12.3

203.0
10.0
2.2
1.2
36.1
24.3
12.0

134.0
8.2
2.8
3.2
40.0
25.0
9.4

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

294.2

288.8

222.6

Sweet Cherry Production Down 11 Percent
United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 338,485 tons, down 11 percent from 2014.
Growers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington reported a warm and relatively dry winter. A freeze event
in November 2014 led to loss of trees that were not yet dormant. In the spring, rain events and above average temperature
pushed maturity ahead of the normal pace and harvest started three weeks earlier than normal.
Utah growers reported a hard freeze that had a severe negative effect on production in much of the State.
In Michigan, a hard freeze in late May had a detrimental effect on production as well. Overall, yield for the State is
expected to be less than the previous year.
In California, harvest ended in early June. Growers reported an unusually light crop for the second consecutive year.

Sweet Cherry Production – States and United States: 2013, 2014, and Forecasted 2015
[Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
State

Total production
2013

2014

(tons)

2015

(tons)

(tons)

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

82,000
2,300
22,900
2,015
1,045
52,000
830
169,000

40,000
2,800
29,860
2,010
630
53,700
900
252,000

900
41,000
85
210,000

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

332,090

381,900

338,485

1

2

68,000
2,600
15,900

The first estimate for 2015 sweet cherries in Montana will be published in the January 2016 Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2015 Preliminary Summary.

Cherry Production (June 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: Grower surveys were conducted in 9 cherry estimating States. Producers were 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 was used to ensure adequate coverage.
Estimating Procedures: Information obtained from the cherry grower surveys were used to establish estimates of sweet
and tart cherries. These estimates were reviewed for errors, reasonableness, and consistency with historical estimates and
industry check data.
Revision Policy: All sweet and tart cherry estimates are subject to revision the following year based on a thorough review
of all available data.
Reliability: Survey results are 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 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
Vincent Davis – Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries, Cherries ....................... (202) 720-2157
Fleming Gibson – Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Sugar Crops, Tropical Fruits ........................................ (202) 720-5412
Greg Lemmons – Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes .................................................. (202) 720-4285
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 – Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts .............................................. (202) 720-4215
Chris Singh – Apples, Apricots, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco .............................................................. (202) 720-4288

Cherry Production (June 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

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