Cherry growers in the Northwest have always known that the best way to successfully navigate the cherry season, which lasts 3 months, is to produce excellent quality fruit from start to finish. This year they have outdone themselves, producing fruit that drives repeat purchases and that consumers eagerly await all summer long.
In 2024, our growers will deliver cherries that will leave consumers wanting more and more! Thanks to the perfect climate for production, we are seeing uniformly colored red and yellow cherries with a brix of 20% and above.
Over 80% of the shipped crop is sized 10.5 row (26mm+) or larger. We are currently shipping over 350,000 boxes per day, bringing the season's total to 3,110,730 boxes (equivalent to 20 pounds - up to June 19, 2024).
It is expected that shipments will exceed 400,000 boxes per day by early next week!
Image 1: comparison of daily shipments between the five-year average, the 2024 estimate, and the actual 2024 data.
Get your promotions ready: despite shipments being in line with pre-season estimates, most growers report that early varieties are yielding a bit less than hoped. The good news is that later varieties, such as Bing and Skeena, seem to have moderate or medium-sized crops on the trees.
As mentioned earlier, these lighter sets have led to excellent quality so far... and it should remain that way until the last cherry is shipped in mid-August!
Source: Northwest Cherries
Images: Northwest Cherries
20 Sep 2023
Among five cultivars tested, 'Gisela 12' and 'Colt' were the most sensitive and tolerant to waterlogging, respectively. The results showed that oxygenation successfully mitigated the effects of waterlogging stress on cherry rootstocks.
09 Apr 2024
A reduction in sour cherry orchards and processing plants is expected. "The cost of planting and maintaining the current orchards is high," says Tim Brian, president of Smeltzer Orchard Co. "and there are not many to replace them."
12 Sep 2025
A study in France explores the effects of ornamental winter fruits on Drosophila suzukii, an invasive pest damaging soft fruit crops. Researchers tested thermal regimes to evaluate survival, reproduction, and potential strategies for biological control and prevention.
12 Sep 2025
Frosts as low as -9°C did not affect cherry production in Patagonia thanks to sprinkler irrigation systems that protect flowers and buds. The Cherry Growers’ Chamber reassures: no damage to crops, but targeted investments are needed to face extreme weather events.
