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



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




                          * * * * * * * *

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

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