Michigan's tart cherry growers are facing a sector in serious distress after the 2025 crop came in at just 49.4 million kg — well below historical norms. The industry is grappling with a multi-year stretch of low production, falling grower returns, and rising input costs all hitting at the same time. Michigan normally accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. tart cherry output, so when that state struggles, the whole category feels it.
Import pressure is compounding the pain, squeezing domestic growers who are already operating on thin margins. This isn't a one-season blip — it's a structural problem that's been building for years and is now reaching a critical point for growers trying to stay in business.
Buyers and category managers who source tart cherries for processing, juice, or retail should expect continued supply tightness and price pressure. If the sector keeps contracting, long-term sourcing relationships and pricing assumptions may need to be revisited.