High temperatures have devastated cherry crops in the Yamagata prefecture this season, leading to the second lowest harvest of the local specialty since the beginning of the Heisei Era (1989-2019). This season's harvest is expected to drop below 9,000 tons for the first time in 30 years.
Government officials from the prefecture reported on the state of cherry production and sales this season during a meeting on August 29 of a council that promotes the branding value of Yamagata cherries. The council is associated with groups of farmers, fruit traders, and the prefectural government.
Officials stated that the estimated harvest of 8,700 tons for this season has decreased by 33% compared to the previous year and by 35% compared to the annual average. The annual harvest has fallen below 10,000 tons only once in the last decade: 9,160 tons in 2021.
The last time it did not reach 9,000 tons was in 1994, when it dropped to 8,570 tons. Cherry sales from the Yamagata chapter of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations decreased by 53% in volume and by 38% in value compared to the previous year.
Regarding cherry varieties, sales volume plummeted by 56% for Sato-Nishiki and by 66% for Beni-Shuho compared to the previous year. In mid-May, a crop investigation committee estimated this season's cherry production at 12,100 tons, slightly below the annual average.
Image 1: Freshly picked cherries for sale at a farm in Sagae, Yamagata prefecture. A pack costs 3,000 yen, or nearly 22 dollars.
However, starting from mid-June, temperatures in the prefecture exceeded 30 degrees for many days, causing excessive ripening of the fruits. The heat also shortened the harvest period, and the available workforce was unable to pick all the ripe cherries during that time, officials said.
Read the full article: Asahi Shinbun
Image: Nikkei Asia
13 Mar 2026
Chilean cherries remain a key winter fruit in Guangzhou supermarkets. Demand is supported by household purchases, gifting traditions and retail promotions. Despite a more cautious Chinese market and a complex season, consumer trust continues to support sales.
19 Mar 2025
Chilean consultant Walter Masman emphasises the importance of innovating in the cherry sector by focusing on technology and quality. Plastic covers and early varieties help to remain competitive by overcoming the oversupply in China with high calibre fruit.
26 Jun 2026
A three-year study in Poland compares organic and conventional sour cherries, showing that cultivar, climate and season affect fruit quality more than orchard management alone. Oblačinska stands out as the most promising cultivar for high-quality organic production.
26 Jun 2026
A Tasmanian study examines how clear and opaque rain covers change orchard microclimate, light, leaf physiology and cherry quality, combining replicated field trials and grower case studies to help producers improve fruit performance, harvest timing and storage potential.
