The global cherry market is bracing for a cherry crisis in 2025, particularly within the tart cherry segment, due to widespread weather-related crop failures and trade uncertainties. Reports from multiple European growing regions indicate that freeze events have devastated crops, with losses ranging from 30% to as high as 80%. “These European setbacks will tighten global availability of tart cherries, shifting increased pressure onto North American producers to fill the gap,” stated one Expana source.
In the United States, the outlook for tart cherries remains cautious and concerning. In Michigan, the leading producer of tart cherries, harvest projections for 2025 are well below production average. Michigan is forecasted to be short of 2024 production by 20-40%. In 2024 Michigan harvested just below 180 million pounds, and the current forecast for 2025—between 95 to 110 million pounds—represents a sharp decline. “With both global and domestic supply contracting, pricing pressures are inevitable,” shared an Expana market participant.
The situation is similarly strained for dark sweet cherries. European producers again report substantial losses due to freeze events, and in the US, California’s 2025 sweet cherry crop is concluding with only 25–50% of the previous year’s output. Washington, in contrast to many other regions, is anticipating an above-average crop this season for dark sweet cherries, which may help to partially offset shortages elsewhere. Michigan presents a mixed picture for sweet cherries, with some areas reporting an average crop and others reporting shortages from anywhere up to a 50% loss.
Image source: Adobe
Written by Holly Bianchi
