The 2026 Cherry Crop Report

By Art Bukowski | July 20, 2026

This week’s Northern Express — sister publication of The Ticker — connected with local cherry farmers to find out how the 2026 crop is looking across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Antrim counties.

Northwest Michigan produces far more tart cherries than sweet cherries, and the region’s output is the reason why the state ranks number one in the country for tart cherry production (they’re also grown in lesser numbers downstate).

Unfortunately, a late frost event in April decimated the tart cherry crop, with regional losses estimated at 70-80 percent and even worse numbers down south. Sweets, which develop and blossom at a different time, were largely spared. Read more here.

Pick up a free copy of this week’s Northern Express, available to read online or at one of nearly 650 spots in 13 counties across northern Michigan.