HDR1012000140020627961500Cherry Production 

 

Released June 27, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service 

(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For 

information on "Cherry Production" call Barbara Rater at (202) 720-7688, 

office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. For assistance with general 

agricultural statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, 

contact the NASS Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail: 

NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV. 

 

 Tart Cherry Production Down 35 Percent 

U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 248 million pounds, down 35 percent 

from 1995 and down 15 percent from 1994. If realized, this would be the 

lowest production since 1991 when 189.9 million pounds were produced. 

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

down 42 percent from last year's near-record crop and 14 percent below the 

1994 crop. Unseasonably cool weather during spring got the crop off to a 

slow start. A prolonged bloom hindered proper fruit development. Poor 

pollination weather and a shortage of bees will limit potential statewide. 

Growers reported frost damage in the Southwest and West Central areas. In the 

Northwest, the crop escaped severe frost damage and is in good condition. 

Harvest will begin around mid-July, about one week behind schedule. 

 

Production in New York is forecast at 25 million pounds, 22 percent less than 

last year. The crop is light as a result of poor pollination weather and a 

reduction in acreage. An increase in production was shown for Utah, while all 

other States registered decreases. 

 Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 

 1994-95 and Forecasted 1996 

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

 : Total Production 

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

 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 

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

 : Million Pounds 

 : 

 CO : 1.5 1.2 1.0 

 MI : 210.0 310.0 180.0 

 NY : 26.0 32.0 25.0 

 OR : 8.0 1.6 1.5 

 PA : 9.0 9.5 8.5 

 UT : 26.5 22.0 25.0 

 WI : 9.2 7.7 6.9 

 : 

 Total : 290.2 384.0 247.9 

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

 

Fr Nt 2-4 (6-96) 

 Sweet Cherry Production Down 19 Percent 

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U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 133,200 tons, down 19 percent from 

1995 and down 36 percent from 1994. Increased production in California could 

not offset lower production in the other states. If realized, this would be 

the lowest production since 1985 when 132,500 tons were produced. 

 

The Michigan crop, at 22,000 tons, is 19 percent less than last year. Poor 

pollination conditions hurt crop prospects and a May frost damaged fruit buds. 

Spraying schedules were interrupted by continual rains. Harvest is expected 

to begin one-to-two weeks behind normal. 

Oregon and Washington growers expect light crops in 1996. A cold snap in 

February followed by cool, wet weather during pollination limited these 

Western States' crop potential. Poor pollination conditions and reports of 

frost damage made for reduced prospects in New York and Pennsylvania. 

 Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 

 1994-95 and Forecasted 1996 

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

 : Total Production 

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

 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 

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

 : Tons 

 : 

 CA 1/ : 52,000 19,800 25,000 

 ID : 1,400 700 1,800 

 MI : 25,000 27,000 22,000 

 MT : 750 650 900 

 NY : 900 1,100 700 

 OR : 42,000 38,000 30,000 

 PA : 950 1,000 800 

 UT : 2,300 2,000 2,000 

 WA : 82,000 75,000 50,000 

 : 

 Total : 207,300 165,250 133,200 

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

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

 

The next "Cherry Production" report will be released in June 1997. 

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 

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

Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD). 

 

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

D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). 

USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

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