First Cherry Crop Estimate Out For 2018

Northwest Cherries is out with its first estimate of the 2018 fresh, sweet cherry crop.  This year, crews have estimated a crop of 226,605 metric tons, which comes out to 22.6 million 20-pound boxes, which is slightly lower than the crop produced last year.  Northwest Cherries stressed it is important to note that this Round One estimate has the most potential for variance from the eventual and actual size of the crop.

Spring spread slowly this year, and not all of our orchards are far enough along to determine how much of their crop will remain on the tree until harvest.  Field reports continue to mention fewer flowers per bud, which typically translates into more energy distributed into fewer cherries per tree.  This has been reported across varieties.

Northwest Cherries  says the anticipate the ability to maintain extended Rainier retail promotions this season, as the estimate is projecting a strong Rainier crop.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com