Warm Winter Wipes Out Southern California's Cherry Harvest for the First Time
Warm Winter Wipes Out Southern California's Cherry Harvest for the First Time
US · Published May 22, 2026
For the first time in 23 years, cherry orchards in Southern California's Leona Valley have reported a complete loss of their cherry crop due to an unusually warm winter.
According to Gary Shafer, owner of Villa del Sol Sweet Cherry Farms, the region experienced record-breaking warmth from October through March, with average temperatures 4°F above the 30-year norm.
This lack of sufficient 'chill hours'—cold temperatures required for cherry trees to bear fruit—has left the orchards barren.

Why It's Important?

The absence of cherries this year has significant economic and cultural impacts on the Leona Valley community. Local orchards, which rely on the U-pick cherry season for income, are unable to host the usual influx of visitors. This also affects families who traditionally visit the orchards for fresh cherries and related festivities. The broader agricultural sector in California has also been impacted, with reduced cherry harvests reported statewide due to warm temperatures and untimely rains. These events highlight the growing risks of climate change on agriculture, particularly for crops dependent on specific weather conditions.

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