Sweet Cherry Production Up 13% This Season

According to NASS, sweet cherry production is forecast at 362,000 tons this season, a 13% year over year increase.  Weather this spring across Washington and Oregon have been optimal for the crop.  Meanwhile, in California, growers reported sufficient chill and precipitation leading to a good crop.  NASS is predicting 50,000 tons of cherries in California, 62,000 tons in Oregon, and Washington, leading the nation at 250,000 tongs of sweet cherries.  Michigan did not produce a 2019 forecast.

Meanwhile, U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 290 million pounds an 18% year over year drop.  Michigan, the largest tart cherry producing State, growers reported an average crop, forecast at 208 million pounds.  Washington is expected to produce 23.5 million pounds of tart cherries.  Utah, New York and Wisconsin are all expecting slightly smaller crops than 2018.

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