March 2025: California Cherry Crop Update

Like last year, I’m bullish on Northwest cherry crop potential for this year and here’s some reasons why. I was recently in California for grower consultation meetings. During the time I was there, I noted some things which I believe are significant and of interest to Washington cherry growers.

Here’s a few things to consider:

• I think California growers are facing some challenges in growing this season’s cherry crop. 2024 was a big crop (at ~11 MM boxes) and it is difficult physiologically for trees to repeat big yields consecutively.

• There were six-eight consecutive weeks of daytime temperatures at or above 95°F between June 21st and August 22 depending upon the valley location from Arvin up to Linden. This is a very critical time for Bud Development for the next crop’s yield potential.

• Winter chill was irregular and for chill-dependent crops this could prove to be problematic for blooming and pollination uniformity. Almonds, cherries and pistachios are very chill dependent.

• March 2025 has delivered some good sized rain events…during bloom, in many cherry growing areas. The jury is still out as to what effect this will have on the cherry crop because of different growing regions and stages of development.

• Bee hive health has been a problem this year. There have been significant losses over winter and growers have voiced concerns over weak hive strength.

• Most pollination-dependent crops are set lighter than normally expected which could be due to bee activity limitations like bee flight hours, uneven blossom opening, rain events during blooming, etc.

• This is a La Nińa year, which means every weather event is more extreme, from heat to cold, wet to dry, et cetera. We’ve already witnessed plenty of textbook examples of that this year and we’re a long way to harvest.

• Harvest should start at about normal timing barring some unforeseen weather event which stalls the crop development [see above].