US season 2024: 355,000 tonnes expected, slight increase over 2023

03 Jul 2024
1903

The Ag Information Network report on today's fruit growers. Sweet cherry production in the United States for this year is expected to reach 355,000 tons, a slight increase from last year.

Starting from the south, Lance Honig of USDA says things are looking quite good.

"Looking at California specifically, it's still a very abundant harvest. Last season was nearly a record, so even though California is down, the harvest is still very plentiful. In Washington, the harvest is slightly below average but still of good size."

Honig notes that the estimates are accompanied by a clarification. "The total national figure of 355,000 tons, technically one could say it's increased by three-tenths of a percentage point compared to last year's production. But excluding Michigan, which wasn't counted in last year's total, there's a 5.9% decline compared to last year for the remaining three states we measured, across both seasons."

So, Honig says overall it's not bad. "And this is largely because we've seen a smaller crop, or expect a smaller crop, both in California and Washington, which are by far the dominant sweet cherry producers here in the United States."

Regarding consumers, Honig continues, "So, with a slight decline nationally, we still expect a medium to above-average harvest size. Therefore, availability shouldn't be a problem this year for sweet cherries."

Washington and Oregon together are estimated at 228,000 tons, with a decrease of about 3.4% from last year... but the quality this year is exceptional.

Source: AG Info
Image: Fresh Collective


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Washing cherries with distilled water reduces pesticides and improves quality. 

Post-harvest​

13 Nov 2025

The study analyzes how washing with water, vinegar and baking soda affects pesticide residue removal, bioactive compound levels and sweet cherry fruit quality during 28 days of cold storage. Key findings for food safety and postharvest shelf life.

Reproductive strategies of Prunus cerasus: a weapon for invasion in Patagonian forests

Tech management

30 Jul 2025

The sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) is rapidly spreading in Argentina’s Los Alerces National Park. Its combined sexual and asexual reproduction extends fruiting season and attracts wildlife, increasing its invasive potential and threatening sensitive native species.

In evidenza

INDUSER and ICOEL have formalised a strategic alliance to strengthen post-harvest technologies for cherries

Post-harvest​

21 Jul 2026

INDUSER and ICOEL strengthen Italy’s fresh produce industry through a strategic alliance focused on automation, associative weighing and multi-format packaging. The partnership combines technology, local support and solutions for cherries, blueberries and other produce.

Pot-grown cherry trees under polytunnels: fertigation and slow-release fertilisers are redefining fruit quality

Tech management

21 Jul 2026

In Norway, growing sweet cherries in containers under high-density tunnels delivers strong yields and cultivar-specific quality. The study compares fertigation with slow-release fertilizers on Van, Lapins and Regina, highlighting distinct responses in fruit composition.

Tag Popolari