Larger Sweet Cherry harvest

WASHINGTON - Jun 9/06 - SNS -- The 2006 sweet cherry production for California, Oregon, and Washington is forecast at 245,000 tons, up 12% from 2005 but 2% below 2004, according to the latest crop production estimates from the USDA.

Washington's 2006 production is forecast at 150,000 tons, up 9% from last year. Washington's cherry crop experienced a relatively mild winter in the Yakima area with some spring frost damage in the Wenatchee area. Crop development is several days behind last year. Quality and sizing are expected to be very good.

The California crop, at 45,000 tons, is down 15% from 2005 and 38% below 2004. 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 is expected to peak during the first 2 weeks of June.

Oregon production is forecasted to be 50,000 tons, up 79% from last year's small crop. Growing conditions overall have been favorable.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here