The Washington cherry harvest is progressing well and is expected to start on schedule around June 1st. Coming off a very difficult 2023 season, growers and shippers are hoping for a better market this year. “Cherries are such a vibrant product and a sign of hope for us, so we’re looking forward to the new season,” says Dan Davis of Washington Fruit Growers.
At the moment, the situation is positive. Growing conditions have been good, apart from an early frost that affected the northern growing regions of Washington. As a result, the northern part of the state is expected to see a reduction in volumes, just like the neighboring province of British Columbia.
“All in all, our growers have fared quite well through the frost. As for the total volume, there are some concerns for some early season varieties,” commented Davis. “Nonetheless, we are expecting a fairly good crop this season.” While the early season crop may be lighter, good fruit size is expected for all varieties and growing regions in the state this year.
Last year, the growing regions of California and Washington overlapped significantly, causing a drop in prices and a tough season for Washington growers. “This year, we have heard that there will be another overlap,” said Davis.
However, growers and shippers are hoping for a shorter overlap. Additionally, this year, cherries from California’s later growing districts are expected to be smaller in size. “If this is the case, it will facilitate a smoother transition to Washington, as we will have abundant volume and good-sized fruit to meet retailer demand,” said Davis.
Washington cherries will reach their peak for about four to six weeks, from the second week of June to the third week of July. “We are working with retailers to encourage them to promote cherries during the peak availability, especially in the two weeks around July 4th.”
When Washington’s cherry production ends, cherry availability in North America is expected to be very limited. Typically, British Columbia follows Washington and is in season until late August, early September.
However, the province was hit by a devastating frost in January and another frost in April. The BC Cherry Association has described it as a climate event that will have a greater impact on the crop than any other weather event the industry has ever experienced before.
Read the full article: FreshPlaza
Image: WSU
22 Jan 2026
Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) is a growth regulator used in fruit farming to improve size, yield and shelf life. It enhances quality and storage by acting on cell growth, sugar levels and metabolism. A sustainable choice for modern and efficient fruit production systems.
10 Jul 2024
The tree is native to Central America and the Caribbean and is spread by birds, which love its fruits. The name Singapore may have been acquired in Asia because the island's government is said to have once planted them as a fast-growing green cover.
14 May 2026
The Cereza del Jerte PDO is focusing on quality, traceability and new varieties to strengthen exports and its presence in global markets. After nearly 2,000 certified tonnes last season, the 2026 fruit promises excellent flavour, more visibility and higher certified volumes.
14 May 2026
Early cherries in Chile are entering a decisive phase: being first on the market is no longer enough. Growers need consistent quality, production stability, agronomic precision and targeted commercial strategies to turn volumes into value and compete in the Chinese market.
