Fr Nt 2-4 (6-04) Cherry Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released June 24, 2004, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on Cherry Production call Terry P. O'Connor at (202) 720-4288, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Tart Cherry Production Down 5 Percent U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 215 million pounds, 5 percent below 2003 production but more than 3 times the production of the weather-devastated crop in 2002. Michigan, the largest producing State, expects a crop of 145 million pounds, down 6 percent from 2003 but nearly 10 times as much as the 2002 weather-devastated crop. In the Northwest, Michigan's largest producing region, a freeze in early May damaged buds. In general, the weather has been cold and was poor during pollination. Utah production is forecast at 23.0 million pounds, compared to 26.0 million pounds produced in 2003 and 3.00 million pounds in 2002. Although production is forecast to be down from 2003, favorable weather conditions have allowed for another good crop. Washington expects to produce 22.5 million pounds of tart cherries in 2004, up 12 percent from 2003 and 10 percent more than 2002. Most growing areas reported a good bloom, mainly due to unusually warm spring weather. Wisconsin production is forecast at 8.00 million pounds, 40 percent below 2003 but double the 2002 production. Heavy rains and cold temperatures during pollination reduced yield potential. New York is expected to produce 8.00 million pounds, 11 percent greater than the 2003 crop but 37 percent below 2002. Orchards are recovering from severe weather the past two winters. Pennsylvania expects to produce 4.20 million pounds of tart cherries, 8 percent above 2003 and up 11 percent from 2002. The crop has benefitted from favorable temperatures and timely rainfall. Oregon's crop forecast of 3.90 million pounds, is nearly triple last year's crop and 22 percent above 2002. Weather conditions contributed to an excellent bloom. Colorado's tart cherry crop, at 0.50 million pounds, is down 17 percent from last year but up 67 percent from 2002. Above average temperatures have occurred during the growing season. Concerns about water shortages continue. Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 2002-03 and Forecasted 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2002 : 2003 : 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : CO : 0.3 0.6 0.5 MI : 15.0 154.0 145.0 NY : 12.7 7.2 8.0 OR : 3.2 1.4 3.9 PA : 3.8 3.9 4.2 UT : 3.0 26.0 23.0 WA : 20.5 20.1 22.5 WI : 4.0 13.3 8.0 : Total : 62.5 226.5 215.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweet Cherry Production Up 17 Percent U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast 276,550 tons, up 17 percent from 2003 and 52 percent above 2002. The Washington crop, at a record high production of 130,000 tons, is down 4 percent from the June 1 forecast but is 12 percent above 2003. Washington's cherry crop experienced unusually warm conditions during the spring, which contributed to a good bloom. Most growers are reporting crop sizes equal to or greater than a year ago. Rain in early June caused some crop loss due to splitting. Production in California is forecast at 65,000 tons, 5 percent more than last year. The California forecast is carried forward from the June Crop Production report. Adequate chilling hours and ideal weather conditions during bloom and the growing season have contributed to this production increase. Harvest began in late April and continued through the second week of June. Fruit quality is reported to be excellent. The sweet cherry crop in Oregon is forecast at 43,000 tons, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 13 percent from 2003. Bing harvest began mid-June in The Dalles and the Hood River Valley. Early variety harvest began the first full week of June. Storm damage has been spotty and isolated. The Michigan crop is forecast at 30,000 tons, more than double the 2003 production and 11 times higher than the 2002 weather-devastated crop. Warm spring temperatures put fruit development 7 to 9 days ahead of average. Abundant rainfall aided in sizing but may contribute to cracking. Harvest is expected to begin the end of June. Idaho is expecting a sweet cherry crop of 3,100 tons, up 7 percent from last year and 82 percent above 2002. Favorable spring weather contributes to Idaho's 2004 cherry crop having the potential to be the largest since the early 1980s. The Montana sweet cherry crop is forecast at 2,200 tons, 15 percent above 2003 but 6 percent less than 2002. Montana's cherry growing region experienced a warm, early spring and adequate precipitation which contributed to a good bloom. Utah is forecasting sweet cherry production to be 1,700 tons, down 23 percent from 2003 but a significant increase over the 2002 crop. Poor pollination in Box Elder County contributed to the decrease in production from last year. New York production is forecast at 850 tons, 42 percent above the 2003 crop and more than double the frost-reduced crop of 2002. A winter freeze damaged trees in some orchards, but most growers are reporting average production for this season. Pennsylvania production, at 700 tons, is slightly more than double the 340 tons produced in 2003 and slightly less than double the 355 tons produced in 2002. The 2004 Pennsylvania sweet cherry crop has benefitted from favorable temperatures and timely rainfall. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 2002-03 and Forecasted 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2002 : 2003 : 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA 1/ : 55,500 62,000 65,000 ID : 1,700 2,900 3,100 MI : 2,700 13,000 30,000 MT : 2,350 1,920 2,200 NY : 350 600 850 OR : 31,000 38,000 43,000 PA : 355 340 700 UT : 400 2,200 1,700 WA : 87,000 116,000 130,000 : Total : 181,355 236,960 276,550 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 10, 2004. The next Cherry Production report will be released in June, 2005. 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.