Early Northwest Cherry Harvest Brings Sweet Summer Flavor to Markets
Early Northwest Cherry Harvest Brings Sweet Summer Flavor to Markets
US · Published Jun 5, 2026
The Northwest sweet cherry season is starting earlier than usual this year due to a mild winter and warm spring across the five-state growing region, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana.
According to the Northwest Cherry Growers, high-quality cherries, including dark sweet varieties like Bings and blushing Rainiers, are ripening quickly and are already arriving in grocery stores as of early June.
This year’s harvest is expected to yield between 18.4 and 19.2 million boxes (20 pounds each) of cherries, ensuring a strong supply through August.

Why It's Important?

The early harvest provides consumers with an extended opportunity to enjoy fresh Northwest cherries at their peak quality. With over 2,200 growers contributing to the harvest, the region accounts for more than 70% of the fresh cherries available nationwide. However, the accelerated growing season may pose logistical challenges for growers and distributors to ensure timely delivery to markets. Additionally, consumers are encouraged to stock up on cherries while they are fresh, as the season remains relatively short despite the early start.

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