Fr Nt 2-4 (6-06) Cherry Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released June 22, 2006, 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 256 million pounds, 5 percent below 2005 production but 20 percent above production in 2004. Beginning with the 2005 forecast, Colorado was discontinued from the tart cherry estimating program. Michigan, the largest producing State, expects a crop of 185 million pounds, a decrease of 11 percent from the 2005 crop but 24 percent above 2004. A severe freeze occurred May 6 in northwest Michigan while the tart cherries were mostly in late bloom. While yield potential remains high in some areas, other localities will have reduced yield. An average crop is expected in central Michigan while the crop in the southwest part of the State is very good. Utah production is forecast at 28.0 million pounds, equal to 2005 production but 27 percent above 2004. More bearing age trees are coming into production and frost was not a problem this year. Washington expects to produce 21.5 million pounds of tart cherries in 2006, up 30 percent from 2005 and 23 percent more than 2004. Some problems are reported from scattered frost but overall growing conditions have been very good. If realized, this would be the second largest crop on record, surpassed only by the 26.5 million pounds produced in 2001. New York is expected to produce 9.50 million pounds, 27 percent more than the 2005 crop but 11 percent below 2004. Some winter damage and spring frost problems are reported, however the Lake Ontario and central regions of the State report a good crop. Wisconsin production is forecast at 4.50 million pounds, 40 percent below 2005 and 33 percent below the 2004 production. Rain and windy weather during the pollination period adversely affected yield potential. Pennsylvania expects to produce 4.20 million pounds of tart cherries, 62 percent above 2005 and up 40 percent from 2004. The trees wintered well and favorable weather during pollination contributed to a very good set and fruit sizing. Oregon's crop forecast of 3.00 million pounds is up significantly from last year's weather devastated crop of 0.30 million pounds but is 23 percent below the production in 2004. Ideal spring weather in most tart cherry producing areas is expected to help return production to a typical crop size after last year's record low output. Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 2004-05 and Forecasted 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : CO 1/ : 0.2 MI : 149.0 208.0 185.0 NY : 10.7 7.5 9.5 OR : 3.9 0.3 3.0 PA : 3.0 2.6 4.2 UT : 22.0 28.0 28.0 WA : 17.5 16.5 21.5 WI : 6.7 7.5 4.5 : Total : 213.0 270.4 255.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Estimates discontinued in 2005. Sweet Cherry Production Up 7 Percent U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 268,400 tons, up 7 percent from 2005 but 5 percent below 2004. Beginning with the 2005 forecast, Pennsylvania was discontinued from the sweet cherry estimating program. The Washington crop forecast of 150,000 tons is unchanged from the June Crop Production report. The crop is 9 percent above 2005 and 12 percent above the production of 2004. If realized, this will be a record high production for Washington surpassing the previous record high set last year. Eastern Washington producing areas experienced a relatively mild winter. This increased crop size is due to favorable spring growing conditions combined with increasing production from new bearing trees. Oregon production is forecast at 50,000 tons, also unchanged from the June Crop Production report. The crop is 79 percent above 2005 and 16 percent above the production of 2004. Spring conditions have been ideal for many sweet cherry producing areas throughout Oregon. Production in California is forecast at 45,000 tons, 15 percent less than last year. The California forecast is carried forward from the June 1 forecast. Excessive rain during bloom resulted in poor pollination. This, combined with a lack of chilling hours and an extreme freeze in February, created undesirable conditions for fruit set. Harvest peaked during the first 2 weeks of June. The Michigan crop is forecast at 17,000 tons, 37 percent below the 2005 production and 31 percent less than the 2004 crop. Frost caused fruit damage in many areas and fruit drop is higher than average. Idaho is expecting a sweet cherry crop of 3,200 tons, up 88 percent from last year and 3 percent above 2004. If realized, this crop would be the largest production in over a decade. Utah is forecasting production to be 2,100 tons, up 17 percent from 2005 and a 31 percent increase from the 2004 crop. Fruit set and quality are reported to be higher than last season. New York production is forecast at 1,100 tons, 38 percent above the 2005 crop and 22 percent greater than 2004. Production areas are experiencing average to above average growing conditions. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 2004-05 and Forecasted 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA 1/ : 73,000 52,700 45,000 ID : 3,100 1,700 3,200 MI : 24,700 27,000 17,000 MT 2/ : 2,360 1,170 NY : 900 800 1,100 OR : 43,000 28,000 50,000 PA 3/ : 400 UT : 1,600 1,800 2,100 WA : 134,000 138,000 150,000 : Total : 283,060 251,170 268,400 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 9, 2006. 2/ The first estimate for 2006 sweet cherries in MT will be released in January 2007. 3/ Estimates discontinued in 2005. 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