The 2024 heat wave and spring weather conditions have posed challenges for California's cherry growers, notably impacting production in San Joaquin County. The local agricultural commissioner has requested a disaster declaration due to a reduced cherry yield. Despite a lighter crop, growers reported good fruit size and favorable market prices. Donald Drake, a grower near Linden, mentioned that yields dropped by about 50%, noting, "The fruit I had, I wished I had more of."
According to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, May 27 FOB shipping point prices for 16-pound cartons ranged from $40 to $85.90, contrasting year-ago prices, which were $16.90 to $55.90. Commissioner Kamal Bagri estimated a 43% reduction compared to a five-year average, attributing it to prolonged rain and high temperatures. The reduced crop resulted in around a $100 million loss, meeting the 30% reduction threshold for a disaster declaration request.
A declaration would enable USDA emergency loans for affected producers. While other counties like Kern and Fresno reported poor production, they lacked a coordinated survey to validate a disaster declaration, according to Fresno's Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Mario Reeves. Causes cited included inadequate chill hours and weather-related damage.
Early estimates placed the 2025 crop between 4 to 4.5 million boxes, a drop from last year's 10.2 million box projection. Current figures from the California Cherry Board identified the Stockton-Lodi-Linden district as contributing 57.5% of production last year. Brianna Shales from Stemilt Growers remarked on the declining estimates, noting, "We kind of knew when harvest started that it was not a full crop."
For growers like Drew Cheney of Machado Family Farms, production varied even within closely situated orchards. Environmental stresses from temperatures above 100 degrees last July were highlighted as factors impacting fruit set. Jim Ferrari, another grower, reported a decline of 50% to 60% compared to past years, observing that bird damage had risen alongside the reduced crop.
Reports of thefts have also surfaced, with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department arresting individuals linked to cherry thefts. Ken Vogel, a grower near Linden, mentioned his crop was down by 50% but noted, "The quality is pretty good. It's just a light crop." Vogel awaits packinghouse reports to assess if losses align with insurance coverage.
Source: AgAlert
