The National Ag Statistics Service confirms that the current sweet cherry harvest marks the largest output since 2017, showing a 4% rise compared to the previous year, with Washington state contributing the most to this uptick.
Lance Honig states, "They're expecting about a 29% increase this season. The weather has been really good for the crop there, and so great news from both Washington and the national perspective."
Oregon experiences a minor production increase, counterbalancing California's 38% reduction in its crop size. Meanwhile, tart cherry production across Michigan, the leading producer, witnesses a marked decline. Michigan is facing approximately a 41% drop, attributed to adverse weather conditions.
This decline results in only 139 million pounds of tart cherries being produced nationally, a reduction placing it over a third below last year's yield. It is noted that this will be the smallest yield since 2020 and the second smallest since 2012, when Michigan significantly lost production due to weather calamities.
Additionally, Utah, as another reporting state for tart cherries, also indicates a year-over-year drop in its production levels.
Source: RFD TV
