The cherry industry currently faces headwinds in every fruit crop, including increases in labour and other input costs, growing competition in the global market, supply chain disruptions, inflation, development pressures and an ageing grower population.
A particular case of uncertainty is evident in the cherry sector, where price inconsistency, import pressure and weather-related crop losses create significant challenges. Sour cherry losses due to climate change and the limited geographical extent of the sector have become more frequent.
Lake Michigan, which once offered protection from extreme weather conditions, is no longer as reliable as in the past. Spring frosts have compromised crucial harvests, including an alarming period in 2020 and 2021, marking the first time in Michigan history with two consecutive low harvests.
Since 2012, cherry growers have had access to crop insurance to manage losses. However, the fluctuating size of harvests worries business, with the chairman of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board fearing the loss of price stabilisation mechanisms, especially after the dissolution of the CherrCo cooperative in 2018.
The lack of price stability worries buyers, with the chairman of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board warning that constantly fluctuating prices are not conducive to sales. The CherrCo cooperative, previously responsible for stabilising the price of frozen cherries, was dissolved in 2018, adding further uncertainty to the industry.
The decline in the size of the cherry industry is evident, with Michigan experiencing a decline in acres under cultivation and in the number of growers and processors. The reduction in processors complicates the situation for independent growers, who complain of a lack of pricing power.
Low-priced imports of cherry products from other countries have further aggravated the sector's difficulties. However, a recent finding revealed that import estimates may have been overestimated, although competition remains a significant problem.
Read the full article: Good Fruit Grower
15 Jul 2025
The 2025 cherry season in the US Northwest brings excellent quality and large fruit sizes. Superfresh Growers leads exports to Asia and Oceania, India shows growing demand, while shipments to China decline due to trade tariffs and restrictions.
10 Jul 2024
The research conducted by Utah State University evaluated two methodologies for monitoring sour cherry yields: one incorporating proximity sensors to detect changes in the harvest tank and the other employing computer vision for fruit counting in real time.
09 Jul 2026
In Jerte Valley sweet cherry orchards, irrigation, crop load, canopy and nutrition shape fruit quality, yield and cracking risk. Preharvest management supports adaptation to extreme climate events, rainfall, water stress, fruit wetness and evolving production demands.
09 Jul 2026
The extended BBCH scale provides a shared standard for describing fruit crop phenology, improving orchard management, research, cultivar comparison and adaptation strategies for climate variability, while supporting sustainable production and scientific communication.
