Abundant production and excellent quality weren’t enough: labor shortages, high prices, and weak demand have left cherry growers in Oregon and Washington struggling.
Despite a bountiful harvest and top-quality fruit, the 2025 season has been a disappointment for cherry producers in the Pacific Northwest. Labor shortages, compromised timing, and overly high retail prices have led many farmers to risk ending the year at a loss.
“The fruit was truly exceptional this year,” says Tiffany Davis, manager of K&K Land and Management, a company that oversees around 600 acres (about 243 hectares) of cherry orchards in The Dalles area, Oregon. “It looked great and tasted great. But the market didn’t respond.”
The main problem? A combination of unfavorable events. Early in the season, increased immigration controls under the Trump administration slowed the arrival of seasonal workers—many of whom typically migrate north following harvest cycles. Fearing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) checks, many stayed in California, leaving ripe fruit hanging on the trees, and in some cases rotting in the fields.
According to data, cherry production in Oregon rose by 4% compared to 2023, while Washington saw a 29% increase. Together with California, these two states form the backbone of the U.S. cherry sector.
However, the supply increase was not met with a similar rise in demand. Retail prices, ranging from $6 to $8 per kilo (approximately €5.60 to €7.50 per kilo), remained too high to attract consumers already struggling with inflation and reduced purchasing power.
“When a family goes grocery shopping and has to choose between bread, milk, and cherries, cherries at that price won’t end up in the cart,” Davis explains.
The paradox? While retail prices remain high, growers may receive less than $1 per kilo (less than €0.94 per kilo). According to Tim Delbridge, agricultural economist at Oregon State University, this gap is due to the multiple steps in the supply chain: packaging, distribution, and retail. “Even if the farmer earns little, the shelf price doesn’t drop accordingly.”
Lesley Tamura, president of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, is pessimistic: “Many won’t even be able to cover costs. The only question is how big the losses will be.”
Some growers are already considering drastic measures: reducing cultivated acreage, leasing out parts of their land, or even selling entirely.
“You start to wonder: is it still worth maintaining these hectares? How can we cut costs?” Tamura adds.
The 2025 season may begin with the industry already in crisis. The hope is that market dynamics will stabilize and that more favorable policies will enable smoother access to seasonal labor. Otherwise, even a record-breaking harvest could once again turn into a missed opportunity.
Text and image source: opb.org
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