February is National Cherry Month

Michigan ranks No. 1 nationally for tart cherry production, accounting for 70 to 75 percent of the annual domestic crop.

Michigan tart cherry production was 260 million pounds in 2009, up 58 percent from the 165 million pounds produced in 2008. The average yield was 10,000 pounds per acre. The preliminary farm level value was $40.2 million.

Michigan also is a large producer of sweet cherries. Michigan sweet cherry production in 2009 was 28,700 tons, up from 26,500 tons produced in 2008. The average yield was 4.10 tons per acre. The preliminary farm level value was $13.7 million.

There are about 7,000 cherries on an average cherry tree, with each tree capable of producing more than 100 pounds of fruit in a season.
It takes 6 to 8 pounds of cherries to make 1 pound of dried cherries, and there are about 100 cherries in an 8-ounce glass of cherry juice.

Source: Cherry Marketing Institute and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

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