It’s that special time of year when Flathead Cherry season officially begins.
Monson Fruit Company Field Representative Brian Campbell says picking will start on Saturday with peak harvest expected on Aug. 3.
The cherry grower cooperative manages 80 Flathead orchards, roughly 500 acres of cherries.
Campbell says this year’s crop will be lower than years past expecting 60% of last years haul which brought in 2 million pounds of cherries.
Despite the low crop outlook, Campbell says this year’s fruit is an excellent condition.
Due in part to a low crop of cherries in Washington, he says the demand for Montana cherries is higher than usual this summer.
“Apparently they’re moving a lot of cherries out of grocery stores and the supply is kind of low. The Quality of fruit is excellent this year, and the demand for Montana cherries is unusually high,” said Campbell.
Campbell told MTN News that this year’s harvest is starting later than years past and its expected to run through Aug. 12.
