Cherry
Production
National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
Released June 18, 1998, 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 Up 1 Percent
 
U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 293 million pounds, up 1
percent from 1997 and 8 percent from 1996. This level is the highest
since 1995 when 396 million pounds were produced.
 
Michigan, the largest producing state, expects a crop of 225 million
pounds, unchanged from last year but 15 percent above the 1996 crop. The
season progressed two to three weeks ahead of normal due to warmer than
normal temperatures. Yield prospects in the Northwest region are
excellent. However, size is expected to be smaller than average because
of dry conditions. The crop looks average in the West Central region but
fair in the Southwest region.
 
Production in Utah is forecast at 24 million pounds, up 37 percent from
1997 but down 9 percent from two years ago. Some areas experienced wind
and hail damage. In New York, production is down 38 percent from last
year. The season began with above normal temperatures in March and April
causing trees to bud early and make them vulnerable to frost damage. The
frost came during the last week of April and hit the four leading
counties along Lake Ontario. The surviving trees were hit by high wind
and hail from tornadoes. In addition, many producers reported trees lost
to brown rot. Oregon and Washington both expect larger crops than last
year. Oregon's forecast is up 41 percent and Washington's is up 9
percent. Pennsylvania, with an 8 percent increase from last year, is
still below average. Many growers experienced the same type of spring as
New York, receiving frost, hail, and high winds.
 
 
 
 
          Tart Cherries:  Total Production by State and United States,
                           1996-97 and Forecasted 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                          Total Production
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :         1996         :         1997         :         1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           Million Pounds
           :
CO         :          1.0                    0.7                    1.0
MI         :        195.0                  225.0                  225.0
NY         :         19.0                   14.5                    9.0
OR         :          2.5                    3.2                    4.5
PA         :          7.5                    6.5                    7.0
UT         :         26.5                   17.5                   24.0
WA         :         14.2                   11.0                   12.0
WI         :          6.1                   10.5                   10.0
           :
Total      :        271.8                  288.9                  292.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
Fr Nt 2-4 (6-98)
              Sweet Cherry Production down 13 Percent
 
U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 192,900 tons, down 13
percent from 1997 but 25 percent above 1996. California and Washington
expect declines, but Oregon will stay even with a year ago.
 
The Washington crop, at 91,000 tons, is 1 percent less than last year
but unchanged from the previous forecast. A large crop is expected this
year along with good quality. Weather was favorable for growing
conditions in Washington. Growing conditions in Oregon were also
favorable during bloom and pollination this year. Production in Oregon
is forecast at 50,000 tons, unchanged from last year and the previous
forecast.
 
The sweet cherry crop in California is forecast at 15,000 tons, down 70
percent from 1997 and down 39 percent from 1996. Rains over a large
portion of the State during the bloom period, and continuing through the
production period, resulted in less fruit produced and very poor quality
for much of that which was produced.
 
The Michigan sweet cherry crop is forecast at 30,000 tons, up 11 percent
from 1997 and 36 percent from 1996. Pollination conditions were very
good, and spring temperatures were above normal. Dry conditions could
lead to smaller fruit but population counts are high. Harvest will start
around June 25.
 
Idaho, Montana, and Utah are forecasting larger crops than a year ago,
but New York expects a decline due to frost damage and poor weather
conditions during the spring. Pennsylvania's forecast is unchanged from
last year despite poor weather similar to New York's.
 
 
          Sweet Cherries:  Total Production by State and United States,
                           1996-97 and Forecasted 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                        Total Production
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :         1996         :         1997         :         1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                                Tons
           :
CA 1/      :        24,600                 49,200                 15,000
ID         :         2,200                  1,300                  2,000
MI         :        22,000                 27,000                 30,000
MT         :           700                  1,300                  1,500
NY         :           700                    650                    500
OR         :        32,000                 50,000                 50,000
PA         :           800                    700                    700
UT         :         2,300                    600                  2,200
WA         :        69,000                 92,000                 91,000
           :
Total      :       154,300                222,750                192,900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast.
 
 
The next "Cherry Production" report will be released in 1999.
 
 
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