Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Expects Much Lower Tart Cherry Crop This Year

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State Expects Much Lower Tart Cherry Crop This Year
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/20/2008

Wisconsin's tart cherry production is forecast to be at 200,000 pounds this year--a huge drop of 98-percent from last year and 96-percent below 2006 levels. According to state agriculture officials, cherry trees experienced a stressful summer during last year's dry weather, along with an early January warm spell and sudden freeze, which severely reduced fruit production.

National tart cherry production is expected to be around 177 million pounds, 30 percent below the 2007 production and 33 percent below the production in 2006.

Michigan, the largest producing state, expects a crop of 135 million pounds, down 30 percent from the 2007 crop and 29 percent below 2006. Multiple spring freezes and wet weather during pollination hampered fruit set in the northwest and west central regions. However, growers in the southwest region were more optimistic about the crop potential.

Production forecasts are higher in Washington and Oregon, but will likely drop in Utah, New York and Pennsylvania.

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