The U.S. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has forecast a 36% year-on-year increase in sweet cherry production in 2017, with the bulk of the rise coming from Washington State, California and Oregon. 

In a recent report the NASS, which is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), projected sweet cherry volume would hit 432,760 metric tons (MT).

Washington State will continue to account for the majority of volume with 255,000MT, representing a 30.1% increase on last year and a 14.5% gain on 2015.

Neighboring Oregon is set for high growth as well with an increase of 42.8% to 60,000MT, following two fairly flat years.

The situation is similar for California but with the sharpest projected percentage rise in volume, by 65% to 99,000MT.

"Growers in Oregon and Washington reported a good crop due to a moderate spring with warm temperatures," the NASS said.

"In California, growers expect the best crop in recent years following several seasons of droughts and low yields."

Michigan is set for a 10.7% drop in volume to 18,760MT. 

"In Michigan, growers are still assessing damage from an early May freeze event but expect an average crop," the service said.

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