From the Fields: Tom Gotelli, San Joaquin County cherry grower, packer and shipper

By Tom Gotelli, San Joaquin County cherry grower, packer and shipper

The crop was extremely light, unlike last year, when there was just an overabundance of cherries. Pretty much all the varieties were affected. I think the warm temperatures in December and January affected the trees’ dormancy. Last year’s big crop could also be a factor for the light crop because cherries are somewhat alternate bearing. Fruit quality was good. Typically, when you have a smaller crop, you have bigger fruit. 

It’s always a challenge to get the cherries picked, but it was a different ball game this year just because there was not a lot of fruit. That’s been a major issue related to farming cherries this year. It seems like there’s always something, but that was a whopper. 

Labor was plentiful in the orchards and the packing shed. Unfortunately, we were not able to pick several of our ranches. There were just no cherries. For example, we did not pick one cherry in one of the ranches south of the Arvin area. People that do have cherries, people that were able to pick probably had a good year because it’s simple supply and demand.

Since we have a smaller crop, we’re charging more. At the farmer’s market, our price went up just because the cost of doing business has gone up tremendously. The cost of everything has gone up, so we have to pass that along. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be in this business. I think people knew because they go, “Oh wow, I’ve heard you had a really bad year.” 

Our cherries go all over the world, and we exported a decent amount, although the U.S. has been a really good market for us because Americans love cherries. A greater share of our cherries went to the domestic market this year. But because of the light crop, no one got what they wanted. Everybody wanted more.