July 2022 - 20

CHERRY MARKETING INSTITUTE
Michigan tart cherry crop improves, labor in question
JULIE GORDON
President/
Managing Director
JGordon@usacherries.com
Cherry harvest is right around the
corner. Michigan tart cherry growers
are looking at a much better crop than
the last couple years, however, labor and
supplies may compromise the number
of cherries that will get processed. Sweet
cherry growers did not fare as well.
Unfortunately, there has been some
reported damage throughout the state
with both brine and dark sweet cherries
this year.
Over the years, cherry growers have
struggled to find and obtain adequate
labor, and now our processors are facing
the same challenge. In addition to the
labor force, affordable housing has been
a huge challenge that contributes to the
limited pool of eligible candidates in the
rural areas where cherries are grown
and processed.
CMI recently completed a " cost of
production study " for Michigan tart
cherry growers. It has been several years
since one of these studies have been
completed. The final report was emailed
to cherry growers and processors. It's
not a surprise that the numbers have
already changed since the report was
completed, with the rising cost of
materials and gasoline.
CMI also just completed its strategic
plan for 2023-28. Board members from
the CMI, Michigan Cherry Committee
(MCC) and the chairman of the Cherry
Administrative Industry Board (CIAB),
Michigan Tree Fruit Committee
strategic planning sessions is to unite
our industry. Again, the more people
that work together, the better impact
will be made. Teamwork, teamwork,
teamwork! It is a vital piece of any
successful business model. The Cherry
Industry Administrative Board (the
federal marketing order), CMI (a
national cherry organization) and
the Michigan Cherry Committee
(State 232 Program/Agricultural
Commodities Marketing Act) boards
are now all working together for
the betterment of the industry. The
stakeholders were spot on to know that
it is critical for our small industry to
unite to succeed and thrive.
The Michigan Cherry Committee
(MTFC) and the Cherry Task Force
participated in the planning session.
As the world has changed into a very
competitive global marketplace, the
leaders of the industry contributed their
thoughts and ideas for CMI priorities
for the next five years. It was no surprise
that promotion/marketing was on the
top of the list of priorities.
With short crops it is very easy to
lose markets for your product, and
often extremely difficult to get those
markets back. Even with the challenges
of the pandemic, imported product is
continuing to come in from offshore,
often below the cost of production in
the U.S.
In 2021, the United States produced
173 million pounds of tart cherries
and imported more than 274 million
pounds. Most of the imported product
(93%) was in juice form.
Our marketing strategy moving
forward is to educate consumers about
U.S.-grown Montmorency tart cherries
and highlight the many attributes which
make our tart cherries well worth
the price you pay at the retail level.
In addition to supporting American
farmers, purchasing American products
also supports the American workforce.
With the drastic difference in the cost
of labor around the world, we need to
encourage more people to be conscious
of their choices in the marketplace
when they have the means to do so.
As we strategically plan the best
way to tackle some of the ongoing
challenges, as well as the new challenges
that our cherry growers face, relying
on our partners and networking has
become more valuable than ever. We
are fortunate to have built relationships
at the state and federal level and
throughout the national commodity
groups. With an extremely small staff
and budget, these partnerships are
going to be a key part of making a
difference in the future.
Another high priority from our
(MCC) is celebrating its 50-year
anniversary! The program was
established in May 1972. As we look to
the future, we must consider the past
50 years and remain open-minded
on our decisions and direction. Our
goal moving forward is to create
sustainability for the future generations
over the next 50 years.
In closing this month, I would like
to congratulate Bill Klein as this year's
recipient of the " Cherry Person of the
Year " award. Bill has served as the farm
manager at the Northwest Michigan
Horticultural Research Station for more
than 37 years and has been devoted
to helping sustain a viable cherry
industry. Bill has done an excellent
job, managing more than 135 acres of
numerous fruit crops, going above and
beyond for growers, the community and
researchers. He is planning on retiring
this year and this is a well-deserved
honor and a memorable way to mark
the end of his distinguished career.
Congratulations Bill! FGN
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20 | FruitGrowersNews.com
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July 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2022
