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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Brent Farley
Friday, July 8, 2011

www.nass.usda.gov/ny


                          TART AND SWEET CHERRY PRODUCTION DOWN


 
       According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York office, 2011 
tart cherry production is forecast at 6.50 million pounds.  This forecast is 17 percent below last 
year’s production of 7.8 million pounds and 42 percent below the 2009 crop.  Growers are 
expecting record low production.  Lake Ontario growers reported that excessive rain and lack of 
pollination affected the production potential this year.  The Finger Lakes area was impacted by 
heavy snowfall in the winter and cold temperatures in the spring.
 
       U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 266.1 million pounds, 40 percent above the 
revised 2010 production and 26 percent below 2009.  Michigan, the largest producing State, 
expects a crop of 210 million pounds, up 56 percent from the revised 2010 crop. Development 
of the crop was behind normal due to below average spring temperatures.  The bloom was 
reported to be excellent despite cool, wet conditions which hampered pollination in many 
locations.
 
       Sweet cherry production in New York is forecast at 930 tons, 7 percent below the 2010 
crop of 1,000 tons, and 25 percent below the 2009 crop.  A normal cherry season was expected 
in the Lake Ontario fruit region.  Growers reported cold weather in the winter and a wet spring 
that brought record moisture before and after bloom.
 
       U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 324,830 tons, up 4 percent from 2010, but 27 
percent below 2009.  The Washington crop forecast of 180,000 tons is up 8 percent from 2010. 
The crop has fallen behind on maturity due to cool weather however growers are still expecting a 
larger crop than last year. The Michigan crop is forecast at 19,000 tons, 26 percent above the 
2010 production.  A large number of flowering buds indicated the potential for an above average 
production year however some growers reported low pollination problems due to a cool, wet 
spring.	
	
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7-08-11