Extreme heat takes out portion of Northwest cherry crop

The heat caused sunburn and stunted growth, making the fruit unsuitable for the fresh cherry market.

  • By Wire Service
  • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 9:52am
  • Northwest

Associated Press

YAKIMA — An extreme heat wave damaged cherries grown in the Yakima Valley and the Northwest in late June and early July. The high temperature reached 113 degrees Fahrenheit in Yakima on June 29, an all-time record.

The heat caused various issues, such as sunburn and stunted growth that made the cherries unsuitable for the fresh cherry market, The Yakima Herald-Republic reported.

Many cherries were left on trees while others were picked but processed, which provides a lower return to growers.

Northwest Cherry Growers is still assessing the damage, but President B.J. Thurlby estimates about 20% of the overall crop was lost. Much of the loss happened in the Yakima Valley, where cherries were about to be picked.

The Northwest cherry growing region includes five states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana.

In May, the Yakima-based organization estimated a crop of 23.8 million 20-pound boxes in the five-state growing region. Thurlby said the yield this season is now likely in the 18 million to 19 million box range, which would be similar to the 2020 crop. Last year’s crop was affected by frost and wind before harvest.

A few cherry varieties received a disproportionate amount of damage: Bing and Skeena, two red-fleshed cherry varieties, and the popular Rainier. Most of the damage was to Skeena, which is generally picked after Bing.

Other varieties, such as Lapin and Sweetheart, picked later in the cherry season, had far less damage.

Harvest will conclude in the Upper Yakima Valley in the next week. Cherry harvest in other parts of Washington and the Northwest will wrap up in the next few weeks.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Northwest

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction faces a lawsuit from a former employee alleging wrongful termination. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Ex-Washington state worker claims she was fired over school board vote on trans athletes

Darby Kaikkonen has sued the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Superintendent Chris Reykdal, alleging retaliation and wrongful termination.

Members of the California National Guard and federal law enforcement stand guard as people protest outside of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, on Tuesday. (Philip Cheung/The New York Times)
Ferguson prepares for possibility of Trump deploying troops in Washington

The governor planned to meet with the state’s top military official Tuesday, after the president sent the National Guard and Marines to respond to Los Angeles protests.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington governor wants agencies to look for deeper cuts

The state’s financial turmoil hasn’t subsided. It may get worse when a new revenue forecast comes out this month.

Washington stuck mid-pack in national education ranking

The new report underscores shortfalls in reading and math proficiency. Still, the state’s top school official says data show progress recovering from the pandemic.

Washington’s Supreme Court slashes public defender caseload limits

The changes will take effect Jan. 1, but local governments get a decade to comply. For cash-strapped counties, it may not be enough time without more state aid.

Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard
State Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee, left, asks a question during a February 2024 hearing.
New WA agency investigating police deadly force incidents sees budget cuts

The Office of Independent Investigations still plans to expand into more parts of the state this year.

Beginning on July 1, 2026, those living in Washington who qualify can begin accessing the long-term care benefit, which has a lifetime cap of $36,500, adjusted over time for inflation. Eligible beneficiaries living out of state can tap into benefits starting July 1, 2030. (Washington State Department of Social & Health Services)
Washington’s long-term care program nears liftoff

It’s been criticized, revised and survived a ballot box challenge. Now, the first-in-nation benefit is on track for a 2026 rollout.

File photo 
State auditors are beginning investigations into whether police departments are properly reporting officer misconduct.
WA looks to tighten compliance under police accountability law

Washington state auditors have started investigating whether local police departments are properly… Continue reading

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard 
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, center, speaks to reporters alongside Solicitor General Noah Purcell, left, and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Legal Director Matt Adams, right, outside a Seattle courthouse where federal appeals court judges heard arguments over President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship on Wednesday.
Trump’s birthright citizenship order lands in Seattle appeals court

The U.S. Supreme Court, meanwhile, hasn’t ruled whether a decision from one judge can block a president’s executive order from taking effect nationwide.

Travis Decker is suspected of killing his 3 daughters Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. (Courtesy GoFundMe)
Manhunt expands for state dad accused of killing his 3 daughters

The bodies of the three Wenatchee girls were found June 2 near the father’s abandoned pickup.

Court fight pits religious group that doesn’t want LGBTQ+ employees against WA law

The Union Gospel Mission of Yakima argues it can’t be forced to hire workers that don’t align with its biblical values. The case may end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney General Nick Brown, center, speaks to reporters alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta, right, and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, left, before an event at Town Hall Seattle on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
Washington’s attorney general sees no signs of legal battles with Trump letting up

Nick Brown described a “crisis” surrounding the president’s use of executive power and said he expects to file more lawsuits against the administration, in addition to 20 brought so far.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.