News about United-States

Pacific Northwest cherries at risk: labor shortage threatens harvest season

Production

31 Jul 2025

The Pacific Northwest cherry season is threatened by a severe labor shortage. Fears of deportations and the lack of pickers risk compromising the harvest, especially affecting small growers in Washington, Oregon, and California during a crucial period.

Cherry standards reform stalled in US: uncertainty grows for growers

Quality

28 Jul 2025

The Washington Cherry Marketing Committee proposes updates to cherry sizing and packaging standards, but USDA approval is stalled. Political pressure and regulatory gridlock hinder innovation, crop insurance protection, and the competitiveness of the cherry sector.

Oregon’s sweet cherry season turns bitter: “A manmade disaster”

Markets

25 Jul 2025

2025 is a disastrous year for Oregon’s sweet cherries: top-quality harvests remain unsold, labor shortages tied to immigration fears, and a market paying less than production costs. Small family farms face an uncertain future amid ongoing economic strain.

How to reduce pistil doubling in sweet cherries: key findings and strategies

Tech management

21 Jul 2025

Pistil doubling affects fruit quality and profit for cherry growers. Research from California and Washington highlights effective timing and methods: shading, evaporative cooling, and targeted treatments can reduce pistil doubling by up to 50% in sweet cherry production.

Spring frost slashes Michigan cherry harvest

Production

18 Jul 2025

A late spring frost has severely impacted Michigan’s cherry harvest, with tart cherry yields expected to drop by 45% and sweet cherries by 30%. Despite excellent fruit quality, the reduced supply across the region is expected to lead to significantly higher market prices.

How temperature affects sweet cherry storage and quality: a China–USA research study

Post-harvest​

16 Jul 2025

A scientific study by China and USA researchers analyzes how storage temperature affects sweet cherry quality. Indicators like anthocyanins, acidity, malondialdehyde, and weight loss help model shelf life and reduce postharvest losses in cherry production.

Phenylactic acid preserves sweet cherries: research between China and USA

Post-harvest​

15 Jul 2025

A study conducted in China and the USA reveals that phenylactic acid (PLA) improves sweet cherry storage by extending freshness, aroma and nutritional quality. The optimal 8 mmol·L-1 concentration delivers strong results without damaging the fruit’s appearance.

US Cherries 2025: large sizes and strong exports from the Northwest

Production

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.

Winter chill models in fruit growing: full guide and comparison by climate zones

Tech management

14 Jul 2025

In-depth analysis of winter chill models used in fruit growing: Chill Hours, Utah, and Dynamic. Comparison of methods and agricultural applications across different climate zones, from British Columbia to Mendoza, Argentina, to improve orchard management strategies.

Digital twins for cherry trees: German research featured in Kansas (USA)

Tech management

09 Jul 2025

During the Precision Agriculture Conference in Manhattan, Kansas, German researchers unveiled For5G: a project using digital twins to monitor cherry tree growth. This technology enables accurate yield forecasting, smarter crop management and adaptation to climate-related challeng