Michigan Tart Cherries to be Restricted by 20%

Michigan is one of seven states subject to restrictions proposed by the Cherry Industry Administration Board. According the board, the purpose of the 20% restriction of sales is the help to regulate supply in the tart cherry market for the years 2015 – 2016.

As with any agricultural product, the demand and supply may vary from year to year. One of the biggest factors relating to supply for an agricultural product is the weather. For example, several years ago the Michigan tart cherry harvest was devastated due to unseasonably cold weather. In addition, during the 2013 harvest season, a severe storm delivered a double punch of high wind and hail.

As the storm rolled eastward across Lake Michigan and came ashore the power of this storm delivered golf ball size hail and 40 mile per hour wind. This was at the worst time for the 2013 cherry crop. The reason is during mid-May is when the cherry blossoms are ready blooming on the countless cherry trees. Each blossom turns into an individual cherry. Is the blossoms are destroy prior to turning into the fruit, the cherry cannot grow.

As the hail rained down it knocked blossoms from their stems. In combination with the high winds, the cherry blossoms in the Traverse Bay Farms region of Michigan didn’t stand a chance. Nearly 60% or more of the Michigan cherry crop was destroyed.

The majority of the tart cherry orchards are located on the western side of the lower peninsula of Michigan. They stretch from the orchards on Leelanau peninsula in the north down to Ludington. The USDA Cherry Production Office produces an annual report on annual tart cherry production. It is used to keep track and annual crop harvest.

On the demand side, tart cherries have been steady seeing an increase in demand from consumers, arthritis pain sufferers and those to looking reduce muscle pain. The reason is this ruby-red fruit has caught the attention of food researchers. The reason is the Montmorency tart cherries contain powerful antioxidants that help fight joint pain due to arthritis and gout. In addition, they are a natural source of potassium. This helps to reduce muscle pain due to physical exercise. So as demand increase, it potentially increases the market price for the fruit.

While keeping supply and demand in mind, the Cherry Industry Administration Board meets once a year to discuss, analyze and calculate if supply to the marketing is meeting demand. The public is welcome to comment on the proposed changes every year. The public is able to provide comment until January 19, 2016. After that date, the final decision is made by the United States Department of Agriculture.