News

China increases cherry imports while U.S. diverts crop

The U.S. Foreign Ag Service says China plans to increase cherry production by more than 20 percent this year and increase imports as demand grows. 

While the U.S. has been a leading supplier of the top imported fruit into China, additional tariffs in the second half of the year are expected to cause market share to fall dramatically.

Meanwhile, the Cherry Industry Administrative Board has decided to divert 35-percent of this year’s U.S. tart cherry crop to help restrict this year’s supply and provide price support.  Nearly 80 million pounds will be destroyed in orchards, put in storage or diverted at processing plants. 

Extremely low prices because of import competition from Turkey and large stocks have been pressuring tart cherry markets for several years.  The International Trade Commission is currently investigating a case against Turkey which could help growers return to profitable levels.

As of June 1^st, U.S. stone fruit, which includes cherries, is subject to a 50-percent import tariff by China.