Cherry Challenges 2025
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson and this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Northwest cherry growers can now look back on the largest harvest in six years, but it might not be enough to really celebrate.
Karley Lange, Director of Domestic Promotions for Northwest Cherry Growers, says there was some fruit left on the trees …
LANGE … “Yes. Some of the blocks the growers did have to walk away from either due to labor issues or just because they weren’t going to be able to make back the picking costs. So, it wasn’t worth even picking.”
And finding adequate labor, Lange says wasn’t easy either …
LANGE … “The charges that they’re requiring for overtime on labor is really making it hard on the grower. Because the workers want to come up, they want to work that extra time, they want to make the extra money, you know, and go home. They don’t want to just work 40 hours a week and then hang out because they have nothing else to do.”
But one of this season’s highlights, Lange says was exports …
LANGE … “The international market actually did pretty well this year. We still exported, with all the tariffs and everything that was going on at the beginning of the season, 31.4%. So, that was good to see. We like hitting over that 30% mark.”
That said, Lange says it’s rough out there …
LANGE … “I’ve heard we’re probably going to lose some more growers. I’ve also heard there’s the potential we may lose some shippers after this season. So, it’s a sad thing to watch happen.”
Again, that’s Karley Lange, Domestic Promotions Director
with Northwest Cherry Growers.
