The shippers are still reporting that the quantity of cherry bins that are coming in to the warehouse is still well below field staff estimates. The peak in Yakima area for cherries is complete and the Wenatchee district is looking at a gap in production the week of July 4th according industry members.
The good news is the cherries gaining size as the fruit hangs on the tree. There is a great report on the Washington State Tree Fruit site about the quality of cherries. The article is called, “An Introduction to Cherry Quality and Handling” by Dr. Eugene Kupferman. If you want to know more about issues like cool and hot temperatures versus ripeness and color, then this article you should read. The link is http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=N4I1B. The article starts out with a description of a cherry: A fragile, living entity at the cellular level as complex as human life; while at attached to the tree, nourished by the tree; but when detached, must live off of itself at the mercy of the environment.
The section about fruit growth helps the concept that the 2010 cherries will be very large due to the mild weather. The article states: The ultimate size of the cherry is the result of a combination of cell division and cell enlargement. The length of the cell division phase is important in determining cherry size. "Cool" seasons extend the cell division period (Stage I) and larger fruit results. "Hot" temperatures during this period shorten this phase, resulting in smaller fruit. Temperature is also important during stage III. During periods of normal temperatures growth continues. However, if temperatures are too hot, growth stops and ripening is accelerated. Fruit size is also determined by crop load. Heavier crop loads result in smaller fruit.
So it appears the rest of the cherries will be large and excellent condition if picked properly and processed correctly. Thank you Washington State Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center for this information and all the great research and commitment you have made to the entire fruit community.