Northwest cherry growers expect a 50% increase in crop

The first crop estimate from Northwest Cherry Growers calls for a fresh crop of 19.9 million (20-pound) boxes.

That estimate, released May 17, would constitute a 50% increase in crop size compared with the 13.3-million-box crop for the Northwest in 2022, according to the group.

Representatives from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana determined this year’s crop has “great potential” relative to crop volume and fruit size, according to a news release from the group.

“As weather across the region has generally been in the 80-degree [Fahrenheit ] range the past two weeks, it is clear that the region is seeing optimal weather for cell division for size and sugar development,” the release said.

Full bloom was recorded April 15, and the release said the earliest harvest is expected to fall on or near June 15.

“We can expect a crop that will peak on 10-row cherries,” the group said.

This year's bloom timing was a full 14 to 20 days behind the 2022 bloom pattern for the Northwest, the group said.

Helping with the holiday demand

Northwest cherry growers reported May 17 that the early season volume on the Northwest trees should “sufficiently” help cherry-focused retailers transition from this year's California crop.

“Between cherries from California and late-starting harvest in the Northwest — there should be ample opportunity for retailers to source cherries for the Fourth of July holiday,” the group said.

Transitions

Cherries in the early and mid-season districts in the Northwest appear to have set a nice crop, according to the group's estimate.

Late-season cherry growers also expect to have a moderate to average crop in 2023, the group reported.

“Our post-Fourth of July orchards have experienced a 'flash bloom' that has resulted in some pollination issues,” the group said. “We are seeing some orchards that are lighter than expected — as crop load will run from 5 to 10 tons to the acre based on location.”

On the other hand, growers say late-season cherry offerings should have great size and sugars.

Cherries pack a punch

Cherries return the most dollars-per-square foot in the competitive summer produce season, the group said.

“Cherries over-perform for their space, doubling what grapes produced in an audit of departments across the U.S. last season,” the group said in its estimate.

Nearly 3 out of every 4 bags of cherries sold are purchased individually from a brick-and-mortar store shelf, according to the group. However, the group said a significant number of heavy cherry users buy fruit online.

“Ignoring that a significant number of online cherry shoppers made their first purchase online in 2017 or before, if you look at simply the likelihood of being a weekly cherry shopper, it doubles if the purchase is made online,” the group said. “Online shoppers are a full one-third more likely to buy two bags of cherries at a time and are 400% more likely to buy three or more bags.”