Fr Nt 2-4 (6-07) Cherry Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released June 21, 2007, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Cherry Production" call Faye Propsom at (202) 720-4288, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Tart Cherry Production Up 11 Percent U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 294 million pounds, 11 percent above the 2006 production and 9 percent above production in 2005. Michigan, the largest producing State, expects a crop of 230 million pounds, up 21 percent from the 2006 crop and 11 percent above 2005. A severe freeze on April 7 - 8 destroyed the majority of the tart cherry flower buds in the southwest portion of the State, while there was less damage in west central Michigan. Conditions in the northwest were excellent during bloom and pollination, leading to high yield potential. Washington expects to produce 18.0 million pounds of tart cherries in 2007, down 19 percent from 2006 but 9 percent higher than 2005. Cool spring weather and damaging frosts caused problems during bloom and pollination. Utah production is forecast at 16.0 million pounds, 43 percent below both 2006 and 2005 production. The decrease in production is the result of poor fruit set, with approximately two-thirds of the flowers reportedly failing to set. New York is expected to produce 13.0 million pounds of tart cherries, 25 percent higher than the 2006 crop and 73 percent above 2005. Growers across the State reported average to above average crop conditions. Wisconsin production is forecast at 11.7 million pounds, 160 percent above 2006 and 56 percent above the 2005 production. There was very little winter damage reported and growers indicated it was a very good bloom and pollination season. Pennsylvania expects to produce 4.30 million pounds of tart cherries, 17 percent below 2006 but up 65 percent from 2005. Although the State experienced freezing temperatures in early April, overall production is expected to be good. Oregon's production is forecast at 0.80 million pounds, down 76 percent from 2006 but 167 percent above the production in 2005. A light set is expected due to rain and cold weather during bloom. Tart Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 2005-06 and Forecasted 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : MI : 208.0 190.0 230.0 NY : 7.5 10.4 13.0 OR : 0.3 3.4 0.8 PA : 2.6 5.2 4.3 UT : 28.0 28.0 16.0 WA : 16.5 22.3 18.0 WI : 7.5 4.5 11.7 : US : 270.4 263.8 293.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweet Cherry Production Up 8 Percent U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 317 thousand tons, up 8 percent from 2006 and 27 percent above 2005. If realized, this will be the highest production on record. The Washington crop forecast of 155 thousand tons is unchanged from the June Crop Production report. The forecast is 9 percent below 2006 but 13 percent above the production in 2005. If realized, this will be the second highest sweet cherry production on record. Eastern Washington experienced some damaging frosts in early spring, but growing conditions during June have been good. Fruit size and quality are expected to be very good. Production in California is forecast at 92.0 thousand tons, 119 percent higher than 2006 and 75 percent above 2005. The California forecast is carried forward from the June 1 forecast. Favorable spring weather with no extended rain was ideal for pollination. Acreage increases and good-sized fruit have increased California's sweet cherry production potential. Oregon production is forecast at 40.0 thousand tons, unchanged from the June Crop Production report. The forecast is 20 percent below 2006 but 40 percent above the production in 2005. Many growers along the Columbia River and in the Willamette Valley experienced a damaging late frost. The Michigan crop is forecast at 26.0 thousand tons, 21 percent above the 2006 production but 4 percent lower than the 2005 crop. Michigan growers reported that sweet cherry crop potential is very good. Idaho is expecting a sweet cherry crop of 2.00 thousand tons, down 47 percent from last year but 18 percent higher than 2005. Idaho sweet cherry growers experienced several freezes during the bloom period, reducing the crop's yield potential. Utah production is expected to total 1.40 thousand tons, down 22 percent from both 2006 and 2005. Cool temperatures were reported during bloom which hampered pollination and decreased production potential. New York production is forecast at 970 tons, 1 percent above the 2006 crop and 21 percent higher than 2005. Some growers in the Lake Ontario region reported spotty frost damage, but overall, growers across New York are optimistic about this year's sweet cherry crop. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State and United States, 2005-06 and Forecasted 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA 1/ : 52,700 42,100 92,000 ID : 1,700 3,800 2,000 MI : 27,000 21,500 26,000 MT 2/ : 1,230 2,400 NY : 800 960 970 OR : 28,600 50,000 40,000 UT : 1,800 1,800 1,400 WA : 137,000 171,000 155,000 : US : 250,830 293,560 317,370 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Forecast carried forward from "Crop Production" released June 9, 2007. 2/ The first estimate for 2007 sweet cherries in MT will be published in the January 2008 "Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2007 Preliminary Summary". 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