WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Could it be a banner year for Washington’s sweetest crop?

If recent media reports are any indication, Washington’s cherry growers might be in for one heck of a year.

Today, the U.S. cherry industry produces more than 650 million pounds of tart and sweet cherries each year. Much of the cherry production is concentrated in Michigan and the Pacific Northwest. Michigan grows about 75% of the tart cherry crop. Oregon and Washington harvest about 60% of the sweet cherry crop.

Washington is the largest sweet cherry producer in the United States. Between 2010 and 2012 Washington produced well over 50 percent of the sweet cherry crop nationwide.

This year’s crop is expected to near 21 million boxes. This would make 2014 second only to 2012. At $70 per box, prices are about 50 percent higher than average.

Be sure to get to your local produce store and take part in one Washington’s sweetest summer treats.