The 2023 sweet cherry harvest in the Pacific Northwest proved to be a significant loss for many growers, prompting reflection on the true extent of the disaster. Industry organizations attribute the difficulties to unusual spring weather conditions, causing overlapping blossoms and a narrow harvest window.
About 70% of US cherries ripened in one month instead of the usual three, creating an oversupply that exceeded supply chain and market capacity. Growers submitted disaster designation requests, seeking federal financial assistance, but have not received formal responses at this time.
Although the 2023 cherry season doesn't precisely fit natural disaster criteria, advocates attribute the challenges to climate conditions. Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers' Executive Director, Mike Doke, emphasized that only about 60% of the crop was actually harvested due to climate-related difficulties. Some growers, like Norm Gutzwiler of the Washington State Fruit Commission, even abandoned the entire harvest, citing a rainstorm without water that led to crop loss.
The overproduction of Californian cherries affected prices, plummeting drastically in June, triggering a downward spiral for Northwest cherries as well. The need for increased communication between Californian shippers and the Northwest industry was highlighted as a potential solution to avoid further price collapses. Growers like Stacey Cooper agree on the need to find common ground to sell a large harvest and collectively address market challenges.
The refusal to harvest some blocks in the Yakima Valley, particularly withdrawn mid-season varieties, resulted in undesirable and unsellable fruit. Some companies advised growers to halt harvesting to avoid further economic losses. Norm Gutzwiler emphasizes that when prices don't cover harvesting costs, foregoing the harvest becomes the only practical option.
Looking ahead, there is concern for growers who may struggle to repay and renew operational credit lines, limiting the ability to grow properly and produce high-quality crops.
Read the full article: Good Fruit Grower
19 Feb 2025
Loss of firmness, color variation, stem desiccation, and mold growth are the main issues that compromise sweet cherry quality during storage and transport. Additionally, harvesting and the conditions under which it takes place have a significant impact on quality.
16 Jul 2024
"There have already been promising results in North America, where it has become naturally established. We are currently testing its acclimatisation and effectiveness in about 60 plots throughout France,' explains Nicolas Borowizc of INRAE Paca.
05 Jan 2026
On 24 December, a local fruit grower explained that this year the trees were subjected to forced dormancy and heating earlier than usual, resulting in the cherries ripening about 10 days earlier than in previous years.
02 Jan 2026
Chile, the world’s top exporter of fresh cherries, is tackling the growing threat of Drosophila suzukii through an advanced strategy that includes the Sterile Insect Technique and a cross-border partnership with Argentina to safeguard fruit quality and global market access.
