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Cherry production likely lowered by weather

 

The USDA expects 2015 U.S. cherry production to be considerably smaller than 2014 after a harsh winter in Wisconsin and a late freeze in Michigan.

Tart cherry production is seen at 222.6 million pounds, 23% less than the 2014 total of 288.8 million. Michigan, the nation’s leading grower, is expected to see a significant decline in yield because of a hard freeze in late May. In Wisconsin, the USDA says several growers are now reportedly out of production due to tree death.

Sweet cherry production is estimated at 338,485 pounds, 11% lower than the 381,900 pounds produced a year ago. Michigan’s hard freeze in late May also negatively impacted the state’s sweet cherry production.

In 2013, U.S. tart cherry production was 294.2 million pounds and sweet production was 332,090 pounds.

Michigan: Tart: 134 million pounds, compared to 203 million in 2014 and 218.7 million in 2013; Sweet: 15,900 pounds, compared to 29,860 in 2014 and 22,900 in 2013

Wisconsin: Tart: 9.4 million pounds, compared to 12 million in 2014 and 12.3 million in 2013