Cherry shippers throughout the Pacific Northwest are ramping up for the start of the summer season. “The change of pace is exciting, cherries are a fun time of year,” said Dan Davis, director of business development at Starr Ranch Growers.

The Wenatchee, WA-based shipper says this summer will require patience, tenacity and excellent communication — qualities the Starr team has in abundance.

“We experienced cold temperatures and snowfall last month making it still a little too early to make much of an assessment,” said Davis.

Stemilt Growers’ high elevation cherry orchards provide the vertically integrated grower-shipper with one of the longest cherry seasons in the United States. Headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, the surrounding foothills play host to hikers, bikers, and migrating elk. They also are home to Moon Cherries, grown at 2,640 feet above sea level at Stemilt’s Amigos Orchard operated by Kyle Mathison.

The Northwest cherry season has been a test of patience for growers and shippers, as Mother Nature has had a chilling effect this spring. Low temperatures have been recorded across all cherry-growing regions with some districts reporting lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Wenatchee, WA, tied a 1986 record of 26 degrees for April and a record-setting 16 inches of snowfall for April, obliterating the previous record of half an inch.

The Northwest Cherry Growers of Yakima, WA, released its round-one estimate of the 2022 cherry crop –– estimating 150,000 tons of cherries or 15 million 20-pound boxes for the season. This initial report had been pushed back a week due to the unusually cool spring temperatures felt across the Northwest.

The initial crop estimate for Northwest cherries will be delayed at least a week, due to the unusually cool weather experienced mid-April, according to Northwest Cherries of Yakima, WA.

The Pacific Northwest saw uncharacteristically low temperatures the week leading up to the Easter holiday, where orchards in Wenatchee, WA, saw over 16 inches of snow and record lows dropping to 26 degrees overnight, shattering previously held April records.

Recent severe weather in the Northwest has raised concerns over the 2022 cherry crop; however, growers remain optimistic. Low temperatures have been recorded across all cherry-growing regions with some districts reporting lower than 30 degrees fahrenheit. Wenatchee, WA, tied a 1986 record of 26 degrees for April as well as a record 16 inches snowfall for April, obliterating the previous record of half an inch. While the unseasonable snow is shocking to say the least, low night temperatures are the major concern.