Categories: California Business NewsCalifornia State News

California Cherry Season Faces Severe Challenges in 2023

Cherry orchards in San Joaquin County reflecting the challenges of the 2023 season

News Summary

California’s cherry season in 2023 is projected to face significant challenges, particularly in San Joaquin County, where growers anticipate a yield drop of up to 50%. Factors such as extreme heat last summer and adverse weather during pollination have stressed cherry trees, prompting local officials to consider disaster declarations to provide relief. While some growers remain optimistic about the quality of the remaining fruits, the overall economic impact remains concerning, with estimates suggesting that the value of the cherry crop could fall significantly.

California is facing a challenging cherry season in 2023, with growers in San Joaquin County bracing for potentially significant decreases in yield. Many local farmers are expressing concern about what could be a much lighter harvest this year, prompting officials to consider requesting a disaster declaration from the state, which could provide critical financial assistance to those affected.

Current estimates predict that the statewide cherry crop could be down by as much as 50%. This is particularly concerning for San Joaquin County, known for its fruitful cherry harvests that contribute to the Central Valley’s agricultural output. The county’s agricultural sector is actively monitoring the situation as local leaders assess the extent of the damage caused to cherry trees.

Several factors have contributed to the anticipated lower yields. Last summer’s extreme heat, with several days of triple-digit temperatures, placed considerable stress on cherry trees. Instead of focusing on fruit production, the heat forced the trees into a ‘survival mode,’ leading to concerns amongst growers about their ability to deliver a quality harvest. Additionally, unfavorable weather conditions during the critical pollination period this spring, including wind and rain, disrupted the production process even further.

The San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner is in the process of surveying local farmers to measure the agricultural damage. If the losses exceed 30%, a formal request for disaster relief will be submitted to state officials. As of now, there is no defined timeline for when this request might be made; however, many growers are keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure they can access any potential aid.

Despite the dire predictions, some growers remain cautiously optimistic. A smaller harvest may result in larger, higher-quality cherries on the trees that do produce. For example, some cherry varieties at certain farms are reportedly thriving, even amid the adverse weather conditions. Cherry picking for some farms is set to begin soon, with some expecting to open as early as May 10, although they are also preparing for anticipated rain shortly thereafter, which may hinder their harvest.

The value of the 2023 cherry crop was initially estimated at $90 million, but these projections are likely to decrease precipitously as damage assessments continue and losses potentially reach unprecedented levels. Conditions conducive to producing unmarketable fruit could further exacerbate the financial challenges facing growers in the region.

Current discussions around the disaster declaration suggest that low or no-interest loans may soon be made available to affected growers, providing them some financial relief as they navigate the uncertain future ahead. Although crop insurance exists to protect against losses, it does not fully cover the damages incurred from the recent extreme weather events.

As the cherry season progresses, growers in San Joaquin County find themselves in a state of mixed feelings—combining optimism for potential high-quality fruit with caution driven by the challenges presented by the weather. The full picture will depend on the upcoming days as growers prepare for the critical harvest while awaiting the outcome of their preliminary assessments and the possible declaration of disaster relief.