Cherry Production ISSN: 1948-9072 Released June 24, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tart Cherry Production Down 23 Percent United States tart cherry production is forecast at 223 million pounds, down 23 percent from the 2014 production. In Michigan, the largest producing State, a hard freeze during late May reduced yields significantly. In Wisconsin, growers reported damage to trees from harsh winter weather. Several growers no longer have production due to tree mortality. Oregon and Utah growers expect a smaller than average crop this year. A freeze event led to loss of some trees that were not yet dormant. Pennsylvania growers reported a crop that will result in a relatively good production. Favorable conditions contributed to good yields. In Washington, rains and above average temperatures during Spring, pushed maturity ahead of the normal pace. Harvest started three weeks ahead of normal. Tart Cherry Production - States and United States: 2013, 2014, and Forecasted 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production State :-------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : million pounds : Michigan ................: 218.7 203.0 134.0 New York ................: 12.0 10.0 8.2 Oregon ..................: 4.3 2.2 2.8 Pennsylvania ............: 2.2 1.2 3.2 Utah ....................: 26.8 36.1 40.0 Washington ..............: 17.9 24.3 25.0 Wisconsin ...............: 12.3 12.0 9.4 : United States ...........: 294.2 288.8 222.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweet Cherry Production Down 11 Percent United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 338,485 tons, down 11 percent from 2014. Growers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington reported a warm and relatively dry winter. A freeze event in November 2014 led to loss of trees that were not yet dormant. In the spring, rain events and above average temperature pushed maturity ahead of the normal pace and harvest started three weeks earlier than normal. Utah growers reported a hard freeze that had a severe negative effect on production in much of the State. In Michigan, a hard freeze in late May had a detrimental effect on production as well. Overall, yield for the State is expected to be less than the previous year. In California, harvest ended in early June. Growers reported an unusually light crop for the second consecutive year. Sweet Cherry Production - States and United States: 2013, 2014, and Forecasted 2015 [Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production State :-------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : tons : California ..............: 82,000 40,000 68,000 Idaho ...................: 2,300 2,800 2,600 Michigan ................: 22,900 29,860 15,900 Montana 1/ ..............: 2,015 2,010 New York ................: 1,045 630 900 Oregon ..................: 52,000 53,700 41,000 Utah ....................: 830 900 85 Washington ..............: 169,000 252,000 210,000 : United States ...........: 332,090 381,900 338,485 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The first estimate for 2015 sweet cherries in Montana will be published in the January 2016 "Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2015 Preliminary Summary." Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Grower surveys were conducted in 9 cherry estimating States. Producers were 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 was used to ensure adequate coverage. Estimating Procedures: Information obtained from the cherry grower surveys were used to establish estimates of sweet and tart cherries. These estimates were reviewed for errors, reasonableness, and consistency with historical estimates and industry check data. Revision Policy: All sweet and tart cherry estimates are subject to revision the following year based on a thorough review of all available data. Reliability: Survey results are 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 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 Vincent Davis - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries, Cherries.. (202) 720-2157 Fleming Gibson - Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Sugar Crops, Tropical Fruits............ (202) 720-5412 Greg Lemmons - Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes ................... (202) 720-4285 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 - Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts ................. (202) 720-4215 Chris Singh - Apples, Apricots, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco .......................... (202) 720-4288 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. To set-up this free subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Follow NASS" box under "Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports you would like to receive. 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