mi-press-releases

News Release
NR-12-37
June 29, 2012

U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Michigan Field Office
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Post Office Box 30239
Lansing, MI  48909-6248

Phone:      (517) 324-5300
Facsimile:  (517) 324-5299
E-mail:     nass-mi@nass.usda.gov
Web site:   www.nass.usda.gov

Jay V. Johnson, Director

2012 Michigan Cherry Production Forecast

The Michigan tart cherry production forecast is 5.5 million pounds, compared 
with 157.5 million pounds in 2011 crop, according to Jay Johnson, Director, 
USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office.  Record high temperatures in early spring 
led to premature development.  This was followed by below normal temperatures 
and continual frost events throughout the state.  Additionally, pollination 
conditions were poor.  The majority of growers lost their entire harvestable 
crop this year.  

The atypical spring weather also destroyed most of the sweet cherry crop. The 
Michigan sweet cherry forecast is 3,300 tons, down from 18,600 tons produced 
in 2011.  The harvest is already complete in southern Michigan.

The U.S. tart cherry production forecast is 73.1 million pounds, down 68 
percent from the 2011 production.  Washington growers expect to produce 27.0 
million pounds of tart cherries in 2012, up 29 percent from 2011.  The Utah 
production forecast is 34.0 million pounds, down 3 percent from 2011.

The U.S. sweet cherry production forecast is 382,150 tons, up 11 percent from 
343,115 tons in 2011.  The Washington forecast of 235,000 tons is up 18 
percent from 2011 production.  The California and Oregon forecasts are 85,000 
and 53,000 tons, respectively.