Tart Cherry Industry Keeps Focus on Future Growth and Success

The U.S. tart cherry industry has announced growers and processors have voted to continue the Federal Marketing Order for tart cherries, reaffirming a six-year framework that supports research, promotion, quality standards, and coordinated industry action.

The vote gives the industry a continued platform to strengthen demand for U.S.-grown ‘Montmorency’ tart cherries and support long-term industry growth. The Cherry Industry Administrative Board, which administers the order, oversees programs authorized to support marketing, research, and promotion, as well as volume control across the tart cherry producing states.

“This outcome reflects the industry’s confidence in what lies ahead,” says Amy Cohn, Communications Lead for the Cherry Industry Administrative Board. “Demand is strong, momentum is building, and the Federal Marketing Order gives us the tools to keep investing in growth, innovation, and long-term success for generations to come.”

As tart cherries continue to gain attention across foodservice, ingredient, and wellness channels, it is increasingly important that consumers and commercial buyers understand the difference between sweet and tart cherries. ‘Montmorency’ tart cherries remain the most studied cherry variety, in large part because of their distinctive composition and the depth of research that has been built to study their health and functional properties.

“We voted for ourselves and we intend to deliver,” Cohn adds. “We are not standing still. The need for further market differentiation is why the industry continues to invest in clearer identity and infrastructure.”

For more information, visit ustartcherries.com.