Sweet Cherry Production Slips 11%

WASHINGTON - Jul 1/02 - SNS -- Sweet cherry production in the United States is expected to drop 11% below last year's harvest to 203,985 tons, 1% below 2000, and the lowest sweet cherry production since 1998 when 196,900 tons were produced.

The biggest year over year decline was recorded in Michigan, which also saw its tart cherry crop devastated by adverse spring growing conditions. Cherry output was also down sharply in Washington State, leaving California as the only area with a production increase, reveals the latest USDA cherry production estimate.

The Washington crop, at 90,000 tons, is down 5% from the previous forecast and 15% below last year. Poor pollination and frost combined to reduce the Washington sweet cherry crop. Production in California is forecast at 65,000 tons, 18% more than last year.

California's production was boosted by an increase in bearing acreage and good weather during bloom. The California forecast was carried forward from the June Crop Production report. The sweet cherry crop in Oregon is forecast at 39,000 tons, unchanged from the previous forecast but down 2% from 2001. Oregon's production was decreased by poor weather during bloom which more than offset an increase in bearing acres.

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