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
15 May 2025
Key strategies to enhance Areko cherry pollination across Chilean climate zones. Covers best pollinizer cultivars, orchard layout, hive management, and pollen application to improve fruit quality, productivity, and uniform flowering for consistent cherry yields.
22 May 2025
Bruising, pitting and rot affect postharvest cherry quality. Learn how container choice (totem, bucket, or capacho) and cherry variety (Santina, Sweet Heart, Regina, Lapins) influence firmness, mechanical damage and shelf-life under cold storage conditions.
06 Nov 2026
A study in three Israeli cherry orchards tests seismic sensors to detect Cerambyx dux larvae, track pest phenology and map infestations. Signals may reveal activity before visible symptoms and help target inspections, but further validation is needed.
06 Nov 2026
In Tasmania, trials by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture show GA₃ increases Lapins cherry firmness by about 20%. Application rate and timing affect fruit size and maturity as researchers examine how to balance quality, harvest timing and late-season markets locally.
