The California cherry crop is nearing the end of the season. It looks like California will only pack out less than 50% of a full crop. Poor fruit set, along with some periodic wet weather this spring, has limited the production. The market price for packed fruit has been good since volumes have been so low. Packers are reporting $50 per 18 pound boxes in the fresh market. The poor fruit set year follows a poor production year last year, and it may spur some growers to remove orchards that have not been producing these last few years.
