Northwest cherries in the USA are set to shine this summer: production is estimated at 213,800 tonnes, marking a 10% increase over last year. Boosting the sector is the temporary suspension of tariffs on Prunus avium in the United States and key import markets, favoring international positioning.
From Washington to Michigan, through Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Utah, the summer harvest — from June to August — benefits from the “Trump-era” tariff pause, in effect until the end of July 2025. Key markets like Canada, China, and Mexico have suspended tariffs that previously reached up to 145% for the US and 135% for China.
Michigan: with an industry worth $36.5 million (approx. €33.9 million) in 2022, produces 75% of the USA’s tart cherries. Tariff exemptions reduce uncertainty in a context of rising production costs.
Washington: the Yakima Valley and other growing areas account for two-thirds of the country’s sweet cherry output. Despite post-pandemic challenges and a 2023 heatwave, international market openness is fueling record production.
According to Northwest Cherries, the entire region — Washington alone — could reach 231,800 tonnes in 2025, up from 200,563 tonnes in 2024.
California ends this year with approximately 54,000 tonnes of cherries — a smaller and earlier harvest compared to previous seasons, ending in April. This time gap limits direct competition with the Northwest, enabling a more effective marketing strategy.
The region produces only P. avium (sweet) cherries, accounting for 90% of total US cherry production, while Michigan leads in P. cerasus (tart) cherries, with 74% of the national total.
In March 2021, Washington alone recorded 443,640 tonnes of sweet cherries.
Total US cherry acreage exceeds 87,000 acres (approx. 35,200 hectares), with 50,000 acres (approx. 20,200 hectares) located in the Northwest alone.
Between 2015 and 2024, exports represented between 23% and 35.2% of regional production. The export peak was in 2017, with about 35.2% of the 26.4 million 20-pound (approx. 9 kg) cartons shipped abroad.
In 2024, Canada imported 2,202,860 cartons, China 801,360, followed by Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, Vietnam, and Japan.
With favorable conditions — suspended tariffs, abundant harvests, and receptive markets — Northwest cherries are experiencing a phase of revival. The challenge now is to maintain strong exports, explore new routes, and strengthen ties with major markets, focusing on quality, sustainability, and targeted marketing.
Source: selinawamucii.com
Image source: Northwest News Network
30 May 2023
Due to the current climate changes an increase in the average winter temperatures is leading to an advancement in the bud break and flowering of fruit crops and this means a higher susceptibility to late spring frosts.
15 May 2024
The objective of the German study was to identify the physiological mechanism through which Ca reduces rain macrocracking (rain cracking) in sweet cherry fruit. Results demonstrate that multiple applications of CaCl2 were not effective in decreasing fruit macrocracking.
14 Jul 2025
In-depth analysis of winter chill models used in fruit growing: Chill Hours, Utah, and Dynamic. Comparison of methods and agricultural applications across different climate zones, from British Columbia to Mendoza, Argentina, to improve orchard management strategies.
14 Jul 2025
The 2025 cherry season shows global contrasts: excellent production in Italy, the UK and South Africa; dramatic declines in Turkey and Greece. High prices in Spain, solid demand and logistic bottlenecks are reshaping the structure of the international cherry market.
