Fr Nt 2-4 (6-00) Cherry Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released June 22, 2000, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Cherry Production" call Steven Gunn at (202) 720-4288, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Tart Cherry Production Down 4 Percent U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 245 million pounds, down 4 percent from 1999 and 30 percent below 1998. This level is the lowest since 1991 when 190 million pounds were produced. Michigan, the largest producing State, expects a crop of 165 million pounds, down 11 percent from last year and 37 percent below than 1998. Bloom occurred early due to warm weather but was limited. Cold wet weather followed, particularly in the southwestern part of the State. Scattered frost was reported in all parts of the growing region. Hail damage was reported in the southwest and northwest producing areas. Utah and Colorado had a rebound in production from last year's freeze-damaged crop. Production in Utah is forecast at 30.0 million pounds, more than twice last year's production but 9 percent below 1998. Colorado's production was up 50 percent from last year but down 31 percent from 1998. Both States had improved growing conditions over the previous year. New York tart cherry production is forecast at 14.0 million pounds, 18 percent below last year. Pennsylvania expects to harvest 10 percent less tart cherries than a year ago. Wisconsin tart cherry production is forecast at 9.0 million pounds, down 10 percent from 1999. All three States experienced a frost in March followed by cool, wet weather which reduced fruit set. Washington expects to harvest 15.0 million pounds of tart cherries, 9 percent less than 1999. The Oregon forecast for tart cherries is 5.0 million pounds, down 6 percent from last year. Localized frost and hail damage have reduced the expected production for both States. Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 1998-99 and Forecasted 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : CO : 1.3 0.6 0.9 MI : 263.0 185.0 165.0 NY : 14.0 17.0 14.0 OR : 2.8 5.3 5.0 PA : 4.2 7.2 6.5 UT : 33.0 14.5 30.0 WA : 14.0 16.5 15.0 WI : 15.8 10.0 9.0 : Total : 348.1 256.1 245.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweet Cherry Production Down 2 Percent U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 224,400 tons, down 2 percent from 1999 but 6 percent above 1998. Oregon and Washington are expecting larger crops while California and Michigan expect declines. The Washington crop, at 95,000 tons, is 42 percent more than last year and unchanged from the previous forecast. Production in Oregon is forecast at 55,000 tons, 10 percent more than last year and 6 percent more than the previous forecast. Weather conditions in both states have been generally favorable with some localized frost and hail damage. The sweet cherry crop in California is forecast at 45,000 tons, 43 percent less than the 1999 crop but almost three times larger than the 1998 crop. The California cherry season began with irregular blooming, resulting in irregular fruit set. Harvest has been extended because the fruit has not matured at the same time. Scattered rains have also caused sporadic damage, with the early varieties suffering the most. The quality of the remaining fruit is good. The Michigan sweet cherry crop is forecast at 22,000 tons, down 19 percent from 1999 and down 37 percent from 1998. A freeze in March killed a large percentage of the buds in the northwestern areas of the State. Subsequent cold weather caused further damage, although minor. The pollination period was short and unfavorable. High winds during full bloom hampered bee activity. Idaho, Montana, and Utah are forecasting a rebound from last year's poor crops. Production is up 26, 53, and 126 percent respectively from 1998. Generally favorable weather with little frost damage led to increases in these States. New York and Pennsylvania are expecting smaller crops than last season. A bad freeze in March coupled with wet, cool weather has hampered cherry production in both States. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 1998-99 and Forecasted 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA 1/ : 15,200 79,500 45,000 ID : 2,200 1,900 2,400 MI : 35,000 27,000 22,000 MT : 2,050 720 1,100 NY : 700 1,050 900 OR : 55,000 50,000 55,000 PA : 550 800 400 UT : 2,700 1,150 2,600 WA : 98,000 67,000 95,000 : Total : 211,400 229,120 224,400 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 9, 2000. The next "Cherry Production" report will be released in June 2001 Subscription Information To subscribe to NASS reports or to order single copies, call toll free, 1-800-999-6779. You may write: ERS/NASS, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161. .