Oregon

Two years ago, Oregon cherry growers hoped that above-average yield and creative marketing would end a string of damaging seasons largely caused by snow and heat devastating the fragile crop. But the cherry market crashed that year and was so harmful to Oregon cherry farmers that they received federal aid as a result.

This year may prove to be just as challenging for farms growing Oregon’s fourth most valuable fruit, after wine grapes, blueberries and pears.

“It’s going to be a disaster of a year,” Chandler said, “but not a natural one, a manmade disaster.”

Many cherry farmers started the summer harvest last month with a labor shortage, as farmworkers delayed traveling to Oregon out of fear of immigration crackdowns.

In 2023, cherry farmers sought a disaster declaration from Gov. Tina Kotek after the price retailers paid them per pound dropped to about 55 cents.

This year, cherry farmers are estimating they’ll make 30 or 40 cents per pound, said Ashley Thompson, an associate professor of horticulture at Oregon State and a cherry expert.