The Fruit Growers News

The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), the national marketing order for red tart cherries, held its annual Marketing Policy meeting June 22 in Kalamazoo, Mich. At this meeting the board is charged with recommending to Daniel Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture, the percentage of the crop that should be considered “free” and that which should be “restricted” under the terms of the marketing order. “Preliminary” percentages are determined at this time.

The CIAB recommended to Glickman that the preliminary free percentage of the red tart cherry crop be set at 53% and the preliminary restricted percentage be set at 47%. These percentages are calculated using the USDA’s estimate of harvest as required by the Optimum Supply Formula (OSF), the formula set forth in the order. They continue in effect unless changed by the CIAB.

The board considered numerous factors concerning the supply of and demand for red tart cherry products in the upcoming season. The USDA released its official crop estimate projecting a national crop of 245 million pounds of red tart cherries. CIAB also considered such factors as the average, annual volume of sales of tart cherry products, the carry-in of product into the current year and the desirable carry-out of product for the following season.

Using the OSF, the board calculated the percent of the current year’s production that is “free” tonnage and that which is restricted. Free tonnage is production of the current year that can be marketed without any restriction by handlers of tart cherries. Restricted tonnage is that which must either be retained by handlers in inventory or diverted by handlers into other market opportunities.

Final percentages will be recommended to Glickman based on actual production. At the conclusion of the harvest of red tart cherries, the CIAB will reconvene to recommend the final free and restricted percentages. These will be calculated using the actual harvest of red tart cherries as compared to the estimate of the harvest.

The CIAB meeting to determine the final percentages will be held Sept. 9 in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.



		CIAB Restricts 47% of the National Tart Cherry Crop The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), the national marketing order for red tart cherries, held its annual Marketing Policy meeting June 22 in Kalamazoo, Mich. At this meeting the board is charged with recommending to Daniel Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture, the percentage of the crop that should be considered “free” and that which should be “restricted” under the terms of the marketing order. “Preliminary” percentages are determined at this time. The CIAB recommended to Glickman that the preliminary free percentage of the red tart cherry crop be set at 53% and the preliminary restricted percentage be set at 47%. These percentages are calculated using the USDA’s estimate of harvest as required by the Optimum Supply Formula (OSF), the formula set forth in the order. They continue in effect unless changed by the CIAB. The board considered numerous factors concerning the supply of and demand for red tart cherry products in the upcoming season. The USDA released its official crop estimate projecting a national crop of 245 million pounds of red tart cherries. CIAB also considered such factors as the average, annual volume of sales of tart cherry products, the carry-in of product into the current year and the desirable carry-out of product for the following season. Using the OSF, the board calculated the percent of the current year’s production that is “free” tonnage and that which is restricted. Free tonnage is production of the current year that can be marketed without any restriction by handlers of tart cherries. Restricted tonnage is that which must either be retained by handlers in inventory or diverted by handlers into other market opportunities. Final percentages will be recommended to Glickman based on actual production. At the conclusion of the harvest of red tart cherries, the CIAB will reconvene to recommend the final free and restricted percentages. These will be calculated using the actual harvest of red tart cherries as compared to the estimate of the harvest. The CIAB meeting to determine the final percentages will be held Sept. 9 in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.












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