Preliminary numbers discussed at a Cherry Grower Alliance meeting held Monday show that tart cherry growers in Northwest Michigan are planning to harvest a much larger crop.
The estimates anticipate an 80-95 million pound crop in northwest Michigan including Leelanau County. The 2023 crop for the area was 67 million pounds.
West central Michigan was also expecting a heavier harvest, which is predicted to increase from 41 million pounds to 50-60 million pounds.
Larger crops predicted in west and northwest Michigan were primary drivers in a jump in the national harvest estimate from 205 million pounds to 220-250 million pounds.
Tighter figures are expected to be released today at the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB) meeting in Grand Rapids.
