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

file:///F|/EL_ONLY/LPS1128/cherry_production_06.18.98

file:///F|/EL_ONLY/LPS1128/cherry_production_06.18.98 (1 of 3) [12/14/1999 10:17:55 AM]
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

file:///F|/EL_ONLY/LPS1128/cherry_production_06.18.98

file:///F|/EL_ONLY/LPS1128/cherry_production_06.18.98 (2 of 3) [12/14/1999 10:17:55 AM]
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.

 * * * * * * * *

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,

color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political

beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means for communication of program information

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

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

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or

TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

file:///F|/EL_ONLY/LPS1128/cherry_production_06.18.98

file:///F|/EL_ONLY/LPS1128/cherry_production_06.18.98 (3 of 3) [12/14/1999 10:17:55 AM]