The first of four projections for the 2015 US Northwest cherry crop has been released, forecasting 196,155 tonnes, or 19.6m 20-pound boxes of cherries.
The Northwest Cherries Field Estimate team has predicted a crop 15 per cent down on last year’s 23.3m box crop, but 40 per cent higher than 2013’s 14m box crop.
“A strong (and early) Rainier crop of nearly 2m 15-pound boxes is expected at this point, but momentum will largely depend (like all cherries) on the weather to come,” stated the report. 'Most produce crops are reporting progress ahead of normal; and sweet cherries in the Northwest are no exception.'
Harvesting is expected to commence from 20 May, with 1m boxes expected to be shipped by the end of the month, with late varieties to be available until mid-August.
