Weak Michigan Cherry Crop Pushes Up Prices - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Weak Michigan Cherry Crop Pushes Up Prices

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From cherry jam to pie filling, a weak Michigan cherry crop means you will likely be paying more.

Local farmers say wholesale prices for tart cherries are up the most. Some say they have heard of prices above a dollar per pound. That is more than four times what it was last year. Wholesale prices of sweet cherries have more than doubled.

Cherry Bay Orchards in Leelanau County says it harvested less than one percent of its tart cherry crop. The farm is not harvesting some trees because they do not have enough fruit to make it worthwhile.

Even though the prices are up volume is way down so farmers are not bringing in much revenue.

While Michigan cherry farmers are having a tough year, farmers in Washington State and California had a great harvest.

9 and 10's Kyle Mitchell and photojournalist Jacob Johnson have more on higher cherry prices.