Cherry growers in Montana's Flathead region are reporting crop losses after freezing temperatures during bloom cut production in some orchards. Brian Campbell of Monson Fruit Company noted that growers also expect lower supplies from Washington this season, a combination that points to tighter domestic cherry availability overall.
Flathead Lake cherries are a premium regional variety, but the Washington comment is the more significant detail here. Washington is by far the largest domestic cherry-producing state, and any confirmation of below-average supply there adds to an already compressed cherry season after earlier reports of Northwest crop reductions.
Combined with Michigan's documented crop struggles this season, the picture for domestic cherries is getting tighter across multiple growing regions. Buyers should factor reduced availability into any late-July and August planning.