Oregon
Sweet
Cherries
AT A G L A N C E
I
Sweet Cherry Benefits
Economic, Social, Environmental
n 1886, Frank Seufert planted the first commercial cherry orchard in Oregon,
in The Dalles. Cherries thrive in the mild, sunny climate in that area. Wasco
County averages about 12 inches of annual precipitation; this relatively low
amount reduces the risk of cracking (and resulting market losses) due to rainfall.
In 2008, 65% of the sweet cherry crop was sold to the fresh market, 31% was
processed into maraschino cherries, and 4% was canned or frozen. A decade
ago, more than 70% of sweet cherries were processed into maraschinos. The
export market for high-quality, fresh sweet cherries —organically and
conventionally grown—continues to grow. Asia has emerged as a market
for large, tasty cherries, air-shipped for freshness. The balance of the
fresh-market crop is sold through outlets such as retail groceries,
farm stands, and farmers’ markets.
Oregon Sweet Cherries
An integrated fruit production program for sweet cherries reduces negative
impacts to workers, the general environment, and endangered fish and wildlife
species from the production of this valuable crop. Cooperative research and
educational outreach have benefited the sweet cherry industry in the following ways:
n Monitored pest populations so that insecticides could be used only if and
when insects posed an economic threat to the crop. More effective spray
timing and “softer” pesticides have improved pest management. $ ❦ 
n Reduced aerial spray drift, protecting worker and community health, water
quality, and aquatic life forms. ❦ 
n Helped lead the effort to qualify Oregon orchards for integrated fruit production certification and other certifications, to ensure export markets for
Oregon sweet cherries. During 2006, some 3,000 acres (40% of all cherry
acreage in Wasco County) qualified for certification from either or both a
domestic or European certifying organization. $ ❦ 
Oregon Sweet Cherries
Family farms 900
Acres harvested
14,050
Tons produced
24,850
Value of sales $52.4 million
Oregon’s national ranking
#3
Share of U.S. domestic production 11%
Health and nutrition benefits:
Rich in vitamins C and K; free of sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat
Notes
Economic data in this section from the 2008 Census of Agriculture. http://www.agcensus.
usda.gov and http://oain.oregonstate.edu/
n Reduced return-on-investment periods of new plantings from 15 years to
8, using rootstocks that bring trees to bearing maturity years sooner. Fully
70% of all new cherry trees in Oregon are on these rootstocks. $ 
n Gave growers fresh-market price increases of 8–81¢ per pound by introducing improved cherry varieties. Estimated total returns to farmers in
the region increased by more than $7.2 million annually (data from 2006
Northwest Cherry Marketers’ statistical review). $
n Improved cherry rootstocks for earlier fruiting and disease resistance.
Growers now can respond more rapidly to the demand for new varieties.
Improvements also have doubled the length of the harvest season over the
past 15 years, providing greater employment stability to industry workers
and contributing to processing facilities’ profitability. $ ❦ 
n Investigated the most profitable sorting and packaging options for freshmarket sweet cherries. $ 
n Reduced potential for frost damage, through a weather modeling system.
Growers avoid an average of $9 million in cold losses per frost event. $
Benefits key
$ Economic benefit
❦ Environmental benefit
Social benefit
Produced by the Department of Horticulture and Extension Service, Oregon State University.
© 2009 Oregon State University. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs,
activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital
status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State University Extension
Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EM 8981 G
Farm Receipts
>$35 million
$5.0–5.5 million
<$1.0 million