Richland, WA – The Northwest Cherry Growers recently gathered to discuss the crop prospects for the 2023 cherry crop.
Representatives from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana have determined that the 2023 crop has great potential relative to crop volume and fruit size. As weather across the region has generally been in the 80 degree F range and it is clear that the region is seeing optimal weather for cell division for size and sugar development.
This year the first bloom in the earliest orchards began on April 8th, with full bloom coming on April 15th. The normal growth cycle for sweet cherries is 60 to 65 days from pollination to harvest. The earliest harvest is expected to fall on or near June 15th.
After reviewing degree day build up, bloom timing and potential fruit set on the trees; the industry believes that there is potential for a crop of 19.9 million 20 lb. boxes. This would constitute a 50% increase in crop size as compared to the 13.3 million box crop we saw in 2022.
CMI Orchards of Wenatchee, WA expects to have 75 percent more cherries than last season. The company will kick off the season around the middle of June. It will have peak shipments the entire month of July with the state anticipating its peak around July 12. After that, loading will start tapering off and will run until the end of August.
Cherries in the early and mid-season districts appear to have set a nice crop. Late season Northwest growers also expect to have a moderate to average crop in 2023.
The post 4th of July orchards have experienced a “flash bloom” that has resulted in some pollination issues. Some orchards that are lighter than expected – as crop load will run from 5 to 10 tons to the acre based on location. The good news for the late season offerings is growers are expecting great size and sugars!
This year’s bloom timing was a full 14 to 20 days behind the 2022 bloom pattern.
Following a down crop year in 2022, Sage Fruit Co. of Yakima, WA sees a rebound with a large cherry crop volume in 2023. The marketer’s Northwest cherry crop spans from southeastern Washington, through The Dalles and Hood River in Oregon, up through the Yakima Valley, then shifts north through Wenatchee and Chelan in Washington, up to the Canadian border.
Sage Fruit partnered with Chelan Fruit during the 2022 cherry season and will continue to do so in 2023, which adds a considerable volume of cherries to its program.
The company’s cherry season kicks off in mid-June, with the first peak loadings coming in late-June to early-July. Good volume is expected through mid-August.
Sage Fruit is carrying both dark sweet and rainier cherries in 2023.