Traverse City area hit hard: tart cherry production down by 45%. Excellent fruit quality, but low volumes are pushing prices up.
In northern Michigan, the cherry harvest is expected to be significantly lower than in previous years. A spring frost, following a sudden temperature rise at the end of April, severely damaged the developing buds.
Ben LaCross, a grower in the Traverse City area — the cherry heartland of the state — explains: “The sudden warmth pushed the buds forward, making them vulnerable. The following frost compromised much of the bloom. We expect to harvest between 30% and 40% of the crop.”
Michigan, the top U.S. producer of tart cherries and fourth for sweet cherries, is facing an unusual season. The good news is the quality of the fruit, which LaCross describes as “beautiful,” thanks to well-timed rains and a lower incidence of fruit cracking.
However, the lack of supply will also impact the market. “With yields this low, prices will be very strong across the region,” the grower predicts.
According to official estimates from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board, Michigan’s tart cherry production will be 97 million pounds (about 44,000 tons), down 45% from 2024. Total U.S. production is expected to exceed 171 million pounds (about 77,500 tons). Sweet cherries are also down significantly, with an estimated 33% drop and total production of 14,000 pounds (about 6,350 kg).
Text and image source: brownfieldagnews.com
04 Nov 2025
Chile faces increasing water scarcity, threatening its world-class fruit industry. Efficient irrigation and optimized crop nutrition are key to maintaining yield and quality in changing climate conditions. Explore practical strategies to face this challenge.
03 Feb 2026
Which rootstocks to choose for cherry trees in dry climates? A study in Hungary compares MaxMa 14, GiSelA 6, and WeiGi 2, showing key differences in water stress response. Learn which rootstock ensures sustainable cherry growing under water-limited conditions.
22 Oct 2026
La produzione di ciliegie si prepara in autunno: irrigazione, riserve e dormienza influenzano fertilità delle gemme e risposte al freddo. I dati del frutteto aiutano a stimare il carico e pianificare la potatura invernale, guidando le scelte agronomiche per la stagione.
22 Oct 2026
A Ukrainian study tests hydrocooling in three sweet cherry cultivars and one sour cherry cultivar: water at 1°C with organic acids, cooled to 2°C near the pit. It preserved positive indicators and cut negative impact by up to 49.73%, with effects varying by cultivar.
