Fr Nt 2-4 (6-01) Cherry Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released June 21, 2001, 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 Up 24 Percent U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 357 million pounds, up 24 percent from 2000 and 39 percent above 1999. This level is the highest since 1995 when 396 million pounds were produced. Michigan, the largest producing State, expects a crop of 293 million pounds, up 47 percent from last year and 58 percent above 1999. Michigan's tart cherries came through winter and spring in good condition. Favorable weather during bloom resulted in a good fruit set. Isolated hailstorms have been the only exception to a favorable post bloom growing period. Wisconsin expects a crop of 11.0 million pounds, up 10 percent from last season. Wisconsin has received favorable weather for fruit growing. Washington expects to harvest 17.5 million pounds of tart cherries in 2001, unchanged from 2000. Crop conditions were mixed with some frost and cold weather losses and some reporters indicating excellent growing conditions. Colorado's tart cherry crop is 11 percent larger than last year due to mostly favorable weather conditions, although some isolated frost damage did occur. New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Utah expect tart cherry production to be down from last season. New York tart cherry production is forecast at 13.0 million pounds, 22 percent below last year. Pennsylvania expects to harvest 25 percent less tart cherries than a year ago. Oregon forecasts a 43 percent smaller crop than last year. Utah expects a crop of 14.0 million pounds, 58 percent smaller than last season. All four States suffered losses due to frost early in the growing season. Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 1999-00 and Forecasted 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : CO : 0.6 0.9 1.0 MI : 185.0 200.0 293.0 NY : 17.0 16.6 13.0 OR : 5.3 4.4 2.5 PA : 7.2 6.1 4.6 UT : 14.5 33.0 14.0 WA : 16.5 17.5 17.5 WI : 10.0 10.0 11.0 : Total : 256.1 288.5 356.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Record High Sweet Cherry Production U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast 235,950 tons, up 9 percent from 2000 and 2 percent above 1999. This is the highest sweet cherry forecast on record. The Washington crop, at a record high 100,000 tons, is unchanged from the previous forecast but 5 percent more than last year. Production in California is forecast at 60,000 tons, the same as the previous forecast but 50 percent more than last year. Weather conditions in both States have been generally favorable with some localized losses due to wind and cold. Washington's larger crop is mostly due to an increase in bearing acres. The sweet cherry crop in Oregon is forecast at 40,000 tons, unchanged from the previous forecast. The Michigan sweet cherry crop is forecast at 30,000 tons, up 53 percent from last year and 11 percent above 1999. Favorable weather in April caused a short bloom that led to a good fruit set. There have been no adverse weather conditions during the growing season except for isolated hail and frost in the Southwest and Northwest. Idaho and Utah are forecasting a decline from last year's crops. Production is down 47 and 54 percent, respectively, from 2000. A hard frost in Idaho during April and cold, rainy weather during pollination in Utah are the main reasons for these decreases. Montana expects a crop of 1,700 tons, up 55 percent from last year. Generally favorable weather during pollination has led to the increase in crop size. New York and Pennsylvania are expecting larger crops than last season. Conditions were excellent during bloom which produced a good fruit set. Weather since bloom has been favorable except for some localized hail damage. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 1999-00 and Forecasted 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA 1/ : 81,000 39,900 60,000 ID : 1,900 3,000 1,600 MI : 27,000 19,600 30,000 MT : 720 1,100 1,700 NY : 1,050 900 1,000 OR : 50,000 55,000 40,000 PA : 800 500 550 UT : 1,150 2,400 1,100 WA : 67,000 95,000 100,000 : Total : 230,620 217,400 235,950 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 12, 2001. The next "Cherry Production" report will be released in June 2002. 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.