The harvest of sweet cherries grown in the Northwest has begun, which means a new crop of this superfruit will start appearing in produce sections nationwide. Available fresh for a limited time, this juicy summer fruit offers extensive health benefits both internally and externally.
From reducing inflammation and stress to improving sleep quality and skin brightness, sweet cherries are a nutritional powerhouse easy to incorporate into the daily diet of consumers of all ages.
"Growers are calling the 2024 harvest in the Northwest an average crop of excellent quality cherries," said B.J. Thurlby, president of Northwest Cherry Growers. "We see cherries well distributed throughout the tree canopy, with fewer large clusters compared to 2023. Combined with warm weather, volumes are increasing. Historically, this type of fruit set has resulted in large, beautiful cherries and excellent storage quality."
Northwest sweet cherries are more than just a treat. Sweet cherries are a natural source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins that give the fruit its vibrant red color and provide anti-inflammatory benefits linked to anti-cancer properties, cardiovascular health, pain reduction, and more.
Sweet cherries, which contain vitamin C, support the immune system and keep skin bright. Studies have also shown that sweet cherries are a source of potassium, which can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Northwest cherries are harvested by over 2,500 growers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana, who together produce over 70% of the fresh cherries found in stores from mid-June to early September.
Read the full article: PR Newswire
Image: Fruitnet
10 Sep 2026
Drought and high temperatures cut the cherry harvest in the Czech Republic: at Mendel University in Brno, production fell by 16% and some fruit was up to half its usual size, making irrigation increasingly crucial for maintaining stable cherry production in coming year.
13 Nov 2025
For the first time in southern Chile, the fungus Nectria dematiosa has been identified as a pathogen of sweet cherry. This discovery raises concerns about new phytosanitary risks, calling for better monitoring and effective management strategies in cherry orchards.
15 Oct 2026
A study in a commercial cherry orchard in Turkey shows that variable-rate irrigation, supported by satellite imagery and soil moisture monitoring, can cut irrigation water use by up to 49% while maintaining marketable yields and fruit quality, even in very hot weather.
15 Oct 2026
In Canada, Vineland's sweet cherry breeding program presents five selections, including Prism®. Fruit up to 30 mm in diameter, early ripening, self-fertility and resistance to rain cracking highlight the key traits of these new cherry varieties for Canadian growers.
