HDR1012000140020629951500Cherries Production HDR2012000140020629951500Cherries Production Narrative and Tables Released June 29, 1995, by the Agricultural Statistics Board. Tart Cherry Production Highest in Many Years U.S. tart cherry production for 1995 is forecast at 391 million pounds. This level is the highest since 1964 when 547 million pounds were grown and surpasses the modern day high of 359 million pounds produced in 1987 by 9 percent. The 1995 output exceeds the 1994 level of 288 million pounds by 36 percent. Michigan, the largest producing state, expects a 320 million pound crop, 52 percent greater than the previous year. That total is the second largest ever and the record high is 380 million pounds produced in 1964. The season began slowly due to cool spring temperatures but without any frost damage. The favorable weather resulted in excellent fruit set in almost all orchards. Moisture was adequate and record high June temperatures pushed crop development. Harvest should start in the Southwest by early July. Oregon and Utah crops were hurt by cool, wet weather at pollination time. Late season rains in Oregon caused splitting to further reduce their crop. The remaining tart cherry producing states reported no major problems and generally favorable crops. Growers in many states expressed concern over low prices and how much to pick or where to sell their fruit. Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States 1993-94 and Forecasted 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------- : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : CO : 1.6 1.5 1.2 MI : 270.0 210.0 320.0 NY : 15.7 26.0 30.0 OR : 3.0 8.0 4.0 PA : 11.5 9.0 10.0 UT : 15.0 26.5 20.0 WI : 6.6 6.8 5.8 : Total : 323.4 287.8 391.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For information call Barbara Soltes at (202) 720-7688. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. Fr Nt 2-4 (6-95) Sweet Cherry Production Down Sharply U.S. sweet cherry production is off 35 percent from a year ago,at 135,700 tons. This level is the lowest since 1985. West Coast states are off a combined 42 percent from 1994. The California forecast of 15,000 tons was carried forward from early June. California was hurt severely by early season rains and cool temperatures at pollination time and then again by rain in mid-May causing heavy splitting. Oregon growers also experienced poor pollination and set due to a cool, wet spring. It appears the Dalles/Hood River area in Oregon may harvest a smaller crop than initially expected. Both the Hood River area and Willamette Valley received rain in mid-June which caused splitting. Washington cherries were set back by wet and cool weather causing poor pollination. The Wenatchee area is expected to be hurt the most but supplies are light also from the Yakima district. Rains and cool weather in that area have slowed harvest. Trading for the light crop is active. The Mountain states were hurt by cold, wet weather during the bloom. Several hard freezes also cut into production. New York is the only state expecting a larger crop this year. Conditions in that state are considered excellent for sweet cherries. Final crop size, however, is dependant upon getting rain, soon. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 1993-94 and Forecasted 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :---------------------------------------------------------------- : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA 1/ : 19,000 52,000 15,000 ID : 1,500 1,300 500 MI : 30,000 25,000 29,000 MT : 900 750 600 NY : 700 900 1,000 OR : 34,000 42,000 27,000 PA : 1,200 950 900 UT : 1,250 2,300 1,700 WA : 80,000 82,000 60,000 : Total : 168,550 207,200 135,700 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. The next "Cherry Production" report will be released in June 1996. ********************** The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer. Subscription Information To subscribe to NASS reports or to order single copies, call toll free, 1-800-999-6779 (weekdays 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET). You may write: ERS/NASS, 341 Victory Drive, Herndon VA 22070.