HDR1012000140020701971500Cherry Production 

 

Cherry 

Production 

National 

Agricultural 

Statistics 

Service 

USDA 

Washington, D.C. 

Released July 1, 1997, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 

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

information on "Cherry Production" call Howard Hill at (202) 720-7235, office 

hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. 

 Tart Cherry Production Down 10 Percent 

U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 242.2 million pounds, down 

10 percent from 1996 and down 39 percent from 1995. This level is the lowest 

since 1991 when 189.9 million pounds were produced. 

Michigan, the largest producing state, expects a crop of 180 million pounds, a 

decline of 8 percent from last year and 42 percent below the 1995 crop. The 

season progressed slowly due to unseasonably cool weather during the spring. 

A prolonged bloom in the Southwest caused above normal disparity in maturity, 

therefore lowering yield potential. The expected yield in the Northwest is 

average. The crop looks very good in the West Central region, and harvest 

will begin about July 20. 

 

Production in New York is forecast at 14.5 million pounds, down 24 percent 

from 1996, and down 55 percent from two years ago. Some areas along Lake 

Ontario suffered frost damage. New York experienced below average 

temperatures statewide, which hampered fruit development. Utah and Washington 

both forecast 14 million pounds. Both states expect a decline from last year. 

 

 Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 

 1995-96 and Forecasted 1997 

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

 : Total Production 

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

 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 

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

 : Million Pounds 

 : 

CO : 1.2 1.0 .7 

MI : 310.0 195.0 180.0 

NY : 32.0 19.0 14.5 

OR : 1.6 2.5 3.2 

PA : 9.5 7.5 5.0 

UT : 22.0 25.0 14.0 

WA : 11.6 14.2 14.0 

WI : 7.7 6.1 10.8 

 : 

Total : 395.6 270.3 242.2 

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Fr Nt 2-4 (7-97) 

 Sweet Cherry Production Up 24 Percent 

U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 191,250 tons, up 24 percent from 

1996 and 16 percent above 1995. The three largest states, California, Oregon, 

and Washington expect an increase in production from last year. 

The Washington crop, at 85,000 tons, is 23 percent more than last year. All 

major areas forecasted an increase from last year, and a good quality crop is 

expected. Weather was favorable for growing conditions in Washington and 

Oregon. Production in Oregon is forecast at 43,000 tons, up 34 percent from 

last year. 

 

The sweet cherry crop in California is forecast at 35,000 tons, up 42 percent 

from 1996. Good weather throughout the growing season resulted in better 

yields. 

The Michigan sweet cherry crop is forecast at 24,000 tons, up 9 percent from 

1996, but down 11 percent from 1995. Bloom population was adequate, but cold 

weather hampered pollination. Cooler than normal temperatures also affected 

crop development in New York and Pennsylvania. Both states expect slight 

declines from a year ago. 

 

 Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 

 1995-96 and Forecasted 1997 

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

 : Total Production 1/ 

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

 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 

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

 : Tons 

 : 

CA : 19,800 24,600 35,000 

ID : 700 2,200 1,300 

MI : 27,000 22,000 24,000 

MT : 900 700 1,000 

NY : 1,100 700 650 

OR : 38,000 32,000 43,000 

PA : 1,000 800 700 

UT : 2,000 2,300 600 

WA : 75,000 69,000 85,000 

 : 

Total : 165,500 154,300 191,250 

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

1/ Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. 

 

The next "Cherry Production" report will be in 1998. 

 * * * * * * * * 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in 

its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, 

disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 

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information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's 

TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

 

To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, 

D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is 

an equal employment opportunity employer. 

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