Cherry Production ISSN: 1948-9072 Released June 25, 2014, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tart Cherry Production Down 10 Percent United States tart cherry production is forecast at 264.4 million pounds, down 10 percent from the 2013 production. In Michigan, the largest producing State, the crop is widely varied this year due to colder than normal weather leading to reports of winterkill and freeze damage. New York and Pennsylvania growers expect smaller than average crops this year. Many growers reported damage due to freezing temperatures during bloom. In Wisconsin, some respondents reported damage to trees from harsh winter weather. Oregon growers expect an average crop this year. Utah growers are expecting high yields this year. In Washington, growers reported very good weather and are expecting a significant increase in production from last year. Tart Cherry Production - States and United States: 2012, 2013, and Forecasted 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production State :-------------------------------------------- : 2012 : 2013 : 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : million pounds : Michigan ................: 11.6 217.9 181.5 New York ................: 2.7 12.0 6.0 Oregon ..................: 1.0 3.8 3.0 Pennsylvania ............: 3.3 2.2 0.9 Utah ....................: 40.0 27.5 36.0 Washington ..............: 24.8 17.9 26.0 Wisconsin ...............: 1.7 12.4 11.0 : United States ...........: 85.1 293.7 264.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweet Cherry Production Down 2 Percent United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 326,240 tons, down 2 percent from 2013. In California, warm and dry winter weather reduced chilling hours. Poor pollination resulted in minimal set and record-low yields. The harvest ended mid-June. In Michigan, development is behind normal due to the long winter and delayed spring. Yield is highly variable throughout the state. New York growers expect a smaller than average crop. Many growers indicated that production potential was reduced due to freeze and frost at the time of bloom. Growers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington reported excellent weather this year. Winter conditions were moderate and warm spring conditions resulted in an excellent bloom and good pollination levels. Utah growers also reported favorable growing conditions. Sweet Cherry Production - States and United States: 2012, 2013, and Forecasted 2014 [Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production State :-------------------------------------------- : 2012 : 2013 : 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : tons : California ..............: 92,300 82,000 30,000 Idaho ...................: 3,600 2,300 2,900 Michigan ................: 4,250 22,900 25,800 Montana 1/ ..............: 2,250 1,665 New York ................: 300 1,225 1,690 Oregon ..................: 56,000 52,000 65,000 Utah ....................: 1,300 430 850 Washington ..............: 264,000 169,000 200,000 : United States ...........: 424,000 331,520 326,240 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The first estimate for 2014 sweet cherries in Montana will be published in the January 2015 "Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2014 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.. (202) 720-2157 Fred Granja - Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco ...... (202) 720-9085 LaKeya Jones - 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 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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