California is witnessing a large harvest of cherries. “It’s one of the largest harvests we’ve had in the industry. It’s also a high-quality crop,” says Joe Cataldo of J&M Farms and Delta Packing Co. of Lodi, California. “The problem is that much of it is compressed.”
Although the season is delayed by a few days, California growers are aware that Washington, the next key region for cherry production on the West Coast, is ahead of schedule. “So there’s a rush to get into the market before Washington starts producing, which usually reduces the value of the crop,” he explains.
While some light harvests began at the end of April, the heavier harvests will start in the Lodi region at the end of this week and are expected to continue until around June 14.
As for demand, the environment is difficult right now, says Cataldo. “Cherries are still somewhat of a luxury item, and we’re in an economy where people are careful with their money,” he says. “The demand is there, and retailers are really aggressive and excited about cherries. The problem is that the prices are not fair for the growers. It’s getting to the point where it might not be sustainable for growers after Memorial Day.”
Memorial Day weekend is an important time for cherry production in the United States. However, growers continue to contend with the fact that prices have not increased, while labor costs have tripled. Growers are also producing better fruit.
Read the full article: FreshPlaza
Image: J&M Farms
04 Sep 2023
Trees grafted onto the Maxma 14 rootstock induce lower vigour, productivity, and fruit weight. In contrast, trees grafted onto CAB 6P rootstock exhibited greater vigour, yield, and fruit weight, resulting in greater agricultural productivity.
28 Feb 2025
Each cherry was manually labelled to indicate position, shape and grade, considering aspects such as ripeness, health of the fruit and position in relation to the camera.
09 Dec 2025
Copefrut introduces RedBeats, a Chilean cherry brand tailored for Gen Z: music-driven identity, flexible packaging and smart formats for every moment. The goal is to turn cherries into a daily snack, moving beyond the traditional gifting-centered consumption model.
09 Dec 2025
A scientific study in Sichuan (China) analyzed two cherry varieties with contrasting colors to understand the genetic regulation of anthocyanin production. The PavMYB.C2 gene and cyanidin-3-glucoside play a central role in developing darker hues. Applications for agriculture and
