Jun 26, 2015
2015 Michigan cherry production forecast

Michigan tart cherry production is forecast at 134 million pounds, 34 percent less than the 2014 crop, according to the USDA, NASS, Great Lakes Regional Office. While optimism was high for the crop in early spring, a hard freeze in late May damaged much of the crop. The northern and central parts of the State lost significant amounts of tart cherries, while yield potential still looks good in the southwest.

Michigan sweet cherry production is forecast at 15,900 tons. This would be a 47 percent decrease from 2014, as sweet cherries were similarly damaged by the freeze in May.

United States tart cherry production is forecast at 223 million pounds, down 23 percent from the 2014 production. In Wisconsin, several growers reported no longer having production due to tree mortality and damage to trees from harsh winter weather. Oregon and Utah growers expect a smaller than average crop this year due to a freeze event that led to losses of some trees that were not yet dormant. Pennsylvania growers reported favorable conditions that will result in a relatively good crop this year. In Washington, harvest started three weeks ahead of normal as rains and above average temperatures during spring pushed maturity ahead of the normal pace.

United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 338,485 tons, down 11 percent from 2014. Growers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington reported a warm and relatively dry winter, but a freeze event in November 2014 led to losses of trees that were not yet dormant. As with tart cherries, rain events and above average temperatures in the Northwest pushed maturity ahead of the normal pace and harvest started three weeks earlier than normal. In Utah, yield is expected to be below the previous year as growers there reported a hard freeze that had a severe negative effect on production. In California, growers reported an unusually light crop for the second consecutive year as harvest ended in early June.




Current Issue

On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions

Data collection tool expands farm management

Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard

IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights

IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees

Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals

Fresh Views 40 Under 40

see all current issue »

Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

produceprocessingsm Organic Grower