Foreign competition and changing consumer tastes are taking a toll on Michigan's cherry industry.
Michigan has long been the top U.S. producer of tart cherries, accounting for 75% of the national total, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The report noted that the industry “continues to face difficulty due to changing consumer tastes and foreign competition. Access to labor is also an issue facing some fruit growers.” The issue with imports from Turkey has been a concern for the past several years, said Nikki Rothwell, extension fruit specialist for Michigan State University: “A lot of Turkish farmers are subsidized so they can grow their fruit at far reduced rates and costs than it would cost our growers.
There’s also an issue with sprawl, particularly with population growth in the Traverse City area. That makes it more economically feasible to develop the land, rather than to continue to farm. Costs related to tart cherry production average 40 cents per pound, based on Northwest Michigan’s average 7,733-pound yield, according to the Michigan Tart Cherry Cost of Production Study for 2022 by the Cherry Marketing Institute and Michigan State University Extension. This includes 26.5 cents per pound for operation and harvest, 12.6 cents per pound for orchard establishment and land control and 1.17 cents per pound for tart cherry assessments.
He said things got tough four years ago, and he’d dealt with years of low crop yields, low prices and the increased cost of maintaining equipment, White said: “It’s bittersweet, no pun intended, growing sweet and tart cherries. Greg Williams, owner of Williams Orchards in Leelanau County, said the government needs to be more active in helping the country’s agriculture industry stay competitive with imports. He also urges consumers to buy products made with cherries from Michigan growers.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Using Our Ford F-150 Lightning XLT To Power Some Forestry WorkGreening Michigan by felling dead hardwood trees for firewood using F-150 Lightning power.
Leer más »
Swine flu Michigan: 2 people caught illness at fair pig exhibits, CDC saysTwo people have caught flu strains that normally circulate in pigs.
Leer más »
Man rescued from Lake Michigan near Oak Street Beach amid dangerous swimming conditions: CPDThe National Weather Service said swimming conditions could be life-threatening.
Leer más »
Sunday NASCAR Notes From A Rainy MichiganNASCAR’s weather delayed race at Michigan will resume Monday at noon.
Leer más »
Swine flu Michigan: 2 people caught illness at fair pig exhibits, CDC saysTwo people have caught flu strains that normally circulate in pigs.
Leer más »
Swine flu Michigan: 2 people caught illness at fair pig exhibits, CDC saysTwo people have caught flu strains that normally circulate in pigs, the CDC said, and pig exhibits at agricultural fairs appear to be to blame.
Leer más »