With California's cherry season cut short by weather damage, the transition to Washington is happening sooner than usual this year. Washington harvest is expected to kick off earlier, but volumes will be noticeably lighter — a double hit that's compressing both the timeline and the available supply for buyers across North America.
This comes on the heels of a rough California season that was already flagged as a major supply concern. The one-two punch of a shortened California crop and a lighter Washington crop means the overall domestic cherry window in 2026 will be shorter and tighter than in recent years. Retailers and foodservice buyers counting on domestic cherry promotions this summer may need to adjust expectations and pricing strategies.
Keep a close eye on early Washington shipment data and pricing — with less fruit available and demand relatively steady, prices could spike quickly once the season gets going. Import availability from elsewhere won't fully fill the gap.