Cherry Production ISSN: 1948-9072 Released June 28, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tart Cherry Production Down 68 Percent United States tart cherry production is forecast at 73.1 million pounds, down 68 percent from the 2011 production. In Michigan, normally the largest producing State, record high temperatures in early spring led to premature development of trees. This was followed by below normal temperatures and continual frost events throughout the State. Additionally, pollination conditions were poor. The majority of growers lost all of their harvestable crop this year. In Washington, winter conditions were moderate and warm spring conditions allowed for an excellent bloom. Weather during the bloom period was mild, allowing for good pollination. Production in Utah is expected to be similar to last year's level. All areas of New York were hit extremely hard with freezing temperatures that followed warm March weather. This weather sequence resulted in a record low production forecast. Production prospects in Pennsylvania are below last year due to spring frost. Oregon growers reported a good blossom set and pollination levels. In Wisconsin, early warm spring temperatures caused trees to bud, followed by several days with temperatures below freezing at night. Tart Cherry Production - States and United States: 2010, 2011, and Forecasted 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production State :-------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : million pounds : Michigan ................: 135.0 157.5 5.5 New York ................: 7.8 5.9 1.1 Oregon ..................: 1.2 2.5 2.5 Pennsylvania ............: 2.3 3.2 2.5 Utah ....................: 23.0 35.0 34.0 Washington ..............: 15.4 20.9 27.0 Wisconsin ...............: 5.7 6.7 0.5 : United States ...........: 190.4 231.7 73.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweet Cherry Production Up 11 Percent United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 382,150 tons, up 11 percent from 2011. Washington growers reported excellent weather this year. Winter conditions were moderate and warm spring conditions allowed for an excellent bloom and resulted in good pollination levels. California growers reported a good growing season, with little adverse weather during the critical bloom and developmental periods. Idaho growers reported favorable growing conditions for their crop. In Michigan, record high temperatures early in the spring caused a premature development of trees. This was followed by below normal temperatures and continual frost events later in the season, leading to a significantly smaller crop than normal. New York growers reported that warm temperatures in March followed by freezing temperatures in April drastically reduced their production potential. Most Oregon growers reported a very good bloom and good pollination levels. The Utah crop is rebounding from last year's frost damaged season. Sweet Cherry Production - States and United States: 2010, 2011, and Forecasted 2012 [Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production State :-------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : tons : California ..............: 97,000 75,000 85,000 Idaho ...................: 1,900 2,800 4,000 Michigan ................: 15,100 18,600 3,300 Montana 1/ ..............: 2,470 2,015 New York ................: 1,000 700 250 Oregon ..................: 38,150 43,200 53,000 Utah ....................: 1,100 800 1,600 Washington ..............: 156,000 200,000 235,000 : United States ...........: 312,720 343,115 382,150 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The first estimate for 2012 sweet cherries in Montana will be published in the January 2013 "Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2012 Preliminary Summary." Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Grower surveys are conducted in 9 cherry estimating States during the growing season. Producers are contacted to obtain expected yield or production and their assessment of the current crop relative to a full crop. Telephone follow-up of mail survey non-respondents is used to ensure adequate coverage. Estimating Procedures: Information obtained from the cherry grower surveys along with federal administrative data is used to establish forecasts of total production. These forecasts are reviewed for errors, reasonableness, and consistency with historical estimates. Revision Policy: Cherry production forecasts will not be revised. End-of- season estimates of production are made following harvest and are subject to revision the following year based on a thorough review of all available data. Reliability: Survey indications are subject to sampling variability because all operations growing cherries are not included in the sample. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omission, duplication, imputation for missing data, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. These errors cannot be measured directly, but they are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch............................................. (202) 720-2127 Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head, Fruits, Vegetables and Special Crops Section...... (202) 720-2127 Debbie Flippin - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries.. (202) 720-2157 Fred Granja - Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco ....... (202) 720-4288 Chris Hawthorn - Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Sugar Crops, Tropical Fruits... (202) 720-5412 Dave Losh - Hops........................................................ (360) 709-2400 Dan Norris - Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mint, Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas, Dry Beans .......... (202) 720-3250 Daphne Schauber - Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes ....... (202) 720-4285 Erika White - Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts ............ (202) 720-4215 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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