E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Marisa Reuber
Thursday, June 18, 2009

www.nass.usda.gov/ny

               TART CHERRY PRODUCTION DOWN; SWEET CHERRIES UP

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York
office, 2009 tart cherry production is forecast at 8.4 million pounds.
This forecast is 13 percent below last year’s production of 9.6 million
pounds and 26 percent below the 2007 crop.  Frost damage and cool weather
reduced tart cherry yields in parts of the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
regions.  The Hudson Valley cherries were reported as good.

U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 284 million pounds, 32 percent
above the 2008 production and up 12 percent from 2007.  Michigan, the
largest producing State, expects a crop of 220 million pounds, up 33
percent from the 2008 crop and 12 percent above 2007. Although the cool
spring delayed crop development slightly in the northwest region, the crop
was reported as excellent. Pollination was hampered by cool, wet conditions
in the southwest and west central regions.

Sweet cherry production in New York is forecast at 1,100 tons, 5 percent
above the 2008 crop of 1,050 tons, but 8 percent below the 2007 crop.
Cherries in the Lake Ontario fruit region had a big bloom and the crop
looked good.  A few growers were affected by frost.  In the Finger Lakes,
cherries looked good despite a few reports of cold weather and frost.
Cherries in the Hudson Valley looked much better than last year.

U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 374,500 tons, up 52 percent
from 2008 and 21 percent above 2007.  The Washington crop forecast of
200,000 tons is 11 percent higher than the June forecast, up 100 percent
from 2008, and 27 percent above the production in 2007. A very cold winter
combined with an excellent bloom benefitted the 2009 crop.  Newer plantings
also came into production, increasing production potential.  The Michigan
crop is forecast at 28,000 tons, 6 percent above the 2008 production and 3
percent higher than the 2007 crop.

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6-18-09