Fr Nt 2-4 (6-99)

Cherry

Production

National Agricultural Statistics Service

USDA

Washington, D.C.

Released June 24, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),

Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information

on "Cherry Production" call Steven Gunn at (202) 720-4288, office hours 7:30

a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

 Tart Cherry Production Down 25 Percent

U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 260 million pounds, down 25 percent

from 1998 and 11 percent below 1997. This level is the lowest since 1991 when

190 million pounds were produced.

 

Michigan, the largest producing state, expects a crop of 192 million pounds,

down 27 percent from last year and 15 percent below the 1997 crop. Drought

conditions in the fall along with light frost damage reduced bud formation in

the northern growing areas. Southwestern Michigan reports excellent fruit set

due to favorable growing conditions. Crop maturity is making normal progress. 

Fruit size is expected to be large and of good quality due to excellent weather

conditions since pollination.

Production in Utah is forecast at 14 million pounds, down 58 percent from 1998

and down 20 percent from two years ago. Most growing areas were severely hit

by freezing weather this spring which reduced bud counts. In New York

production is up 36 percent from last year because of excellent growing 

conditions. Growers expect large fruit size and excellent quality. Oregon and

Washington both expect smaller crops than last year. Oregon's forecast is down

11 percent and Washington's is down 6 percent. A long cool winter followed by

heavy rains during pollination have reduced crop expectations for both states. 

Pennsylvania growers expect their crop to more than double from last year and

increase 39 percent from 1997. Most growers experienced excellent growing

conditions. Wisconsin expects to harvest 42 percent fewer tart cherries than

in 1998 and 26 percent fewer than 1997. Rain and cold weather combined to

hinder pollination. 

 Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States,

 1997-98 and Forecasted 1999

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Total Production

 State :--------------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1997 : 1998 : 1999

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Million Pounds

 :

CO : 0.7 1.3 0.6

MI : 225.0 263.0 192.0

NY : 14.5 14.0 19.0

OR : 3.7 4.5 4.0

PA : 6.5 4.2 9.0

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UT : 17.5 33.0 14.0

WA : 13.5 14.0 13.2

WI : 11.5 14.7 8.5

 :

Total : 292.9 348.7 260.3

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 Sweet Cherry Production Up 3 Percent

U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 217,000 tons, up 3 percent from

1998 but 4 percent below 1997. California expects to produce a much larger

crop while Oregon, Washington and Michigan expect declines. 

The Washington crop, at 80,000 tons, is 17 percent less than last year and

unchanged from the previous forecast. Production in Oregon is forecast at

53,000 tons, down 4 percent from last year and unchanged from the previous

forecast. Winter weather conditions lasted longer than normal this growing

season in the Northwest. Cool weather and heavy rain during the bloom period

resulted in reduced pollination in many areas. 

The sweet cherry crop in California is forecast at 50,000 tons, more than

triple the 1998 crop and up 2 percent from 1997. Moderate rains over a large

portion of the State and a good amount of chill hours contributed to the

favorable growing conditions in California. 

The Michigan sweet cherry crop is forecast at 29,000 tons, down 17 percent from

1998 but up 7 percent from 1997. Bud formation was reduced by drought

conditions last fall. Some frost damage was also reported. Harvest will start

around July 1.

Idaho, Montana, and Utah are forecasting smaller crops than a year ago due to

frost damage and poor weather conditions during the spring. New York and

Pennsylvania are expecting larger crops due to favorable weather conditions.

 Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States,

 1997-98 and Forecasted 1999

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Total Production

 State :--------------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1997 : 1998 : 1999

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Tons

 :

CA 1/ : 49,200 15,400 50,000

ID : 1,600 2,200 1,400

MI : 27,000 35,000 29,000

MT : 1,100 2,050 1,300

NY : 650 700 950

OR : 50,000 55,000 53,000

PA : 500 550 650

UT : 720 2,800 700

WA : 95,000 96,000 80,000

 :

Total : 225,770 209,700 217,000

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1/ Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 11, 1999.

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The next "Cherry Production" report will be released in 2000.

 Subscription Information

To subscribe to NASS reports or to order single copies, call toll free,

1-800-999-6779. You may write: ERS/NASS, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA

22161.

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