According to USDA crop forecasters, U.S. sweet cherry production for 2022 might not be so sweet. The government agency’s forecast is at 275,000 tons, down 27% from 2021. But why such a large disparity?
In Washington — the largest producing state of sweet cherries — severe cold weather in winter and spring reduced pollination and fruit set. In California, most trees received adequate chilling hours; however, frosts in February and March damaged the crop in some areas.
In Oregon, cold winter with high rainfall and low temperatures reduced fruit set for the 2022 crop. A late spring storm slowed pollination with some growers reporting damage to blossoms.
To view the entire sweet cherry production forecast in detail, visit nass.usda.gov.