In response to a significantly challenging season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has sanctioned federal aid for cherry farmers across nine counties in Oregon. This decision follows a formal request from Governor Tina Kotek, aiming to mitigate the financial strain from the 2023 season, marked as one of the most adverse periods since records began in 1945 by Oregon State University. The affected counties, including Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Multnomah, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler, witnessed a 35% drop in cherry production, attributed to a prolonged cool spring with excessive rainfall, succeeded by an abrupt transition to heat and drought conditions.
This federal intervention allows cherry producers to seek loans and other forms of assistance through the USDA's Farm Service Agency within an eight-month application window. The move is crucial for the recovery of Oregon's cherry sector, which saw a significant decline in market value from nearly $134 million in 2020 to around $65 million in 2021, with only a slight recovery observed in 2022. Compounding these challenges were the market dynamics influenced by California's delayed cherry harvest, which overlapped with Oregon's season, exacerbating the price competition and leading to a substantial price drop for Oregon cherries in 2023.
Source: opb.org