Southern Washington cherry growers huddle to discuss the upcoming crop today at the annual 5-state meeting of the Northwest Cherry Growers in Richland, Washington. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)
Growers and industry representatives from five Northwest cherry producing states predicted a crop of about 23.6 million 20-pound box equivalents at the industry’s annual preseason meeting today in Richland, Washington.
Northwest Cherry Growers meets every May to estimate the upcoming crop of sweet cherries grown in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah.
Today’s overall figure is a bit lower than an industry estimate of 24.9 million boxes, released Tuesday and based on information collected over the previous four or five days. Fluctuations in crop estimates are common as the ripening season progresses.
Estimates for individual states broke down this way, in tons:
—Washington, 192,500 (Northern Washington, 112,500; Southern Washington, 80,000)
—Oregon, 41,500
—Idaho, 15,000
—Montana, 700
—Utah, 200
Northwest Cherry Growers commissioners approved an annual assessment of $18 per ton, an amount that has not changed for roughly 20 years.
—by Ross Courtney
Related: Northwest Cherry Growers estimate 24.9 million boxes, third largest crop
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