Cherry production up

Cherry production up

According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York office, 2007 tart cherry production is forecast at 13.0 million pounds. This forecast is 25 percent above last year's production of 10.4 million pounds and 73 percent above the 2005 crop. Despite a few reports of dry conditions, growers are experiencing an average to above average crop. The crop does not appear to be as heavy as some growers were predicting. The Lake Ontario fruit region and central part of the state have both generally reported a good crop so far.

U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 294 million pounds, 11 percent above the 2006 production and nine percent above production in 2005. Conditions in the northwest were excellent during bloom and pollination, leading to high yield potential.

Sweet cherry production in New York is forecast at 970 tons, one percent above the 2006 crop and 21 percent above the 2005 crop. Across the state, many growers were optimistic about this year's sweet cherry crop. The crop is expected to be average to above average in size. However, some rain is needed to ameliorate the dry conditions. In the Lake Ontario region, very few growers reported spotty frost damage, but overall a much better year than last year. Production is high and the dry weather received has not adversely affected the sweet cherry crop as to date.

U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 317,000 tons, up eight percent from 2006 and 27 percent above 2005. If realized, this will be the highest production on record. The Washington crop forecast of 155,000 tons is unchanged from the June "Crop Production" report. The forecast is nine percent below 2006, but 13 percent above the production in 2005. If realized, this will be the second highest sweet cherry production on record.