Despite forecasts that national sweet cherry yields will remain at a similar level this season, output in some of the country's most productive states is expected to change dramatically from 2013, according to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report.

The national output is only set to be 2% down year-on-year, although California will see its production slip b7 63% to 30,000 metric tons (MT), while Washington State is predicted to shoot up 18% to 200,000MT.

Weather conditions played a key role in these changes, with California having experienced warm and dry winter weather that reduced chilling hours, followed by a poor pollination season.

The state's production levels will be the lowest on record if the estimates prove correct.

Further up the West Coast, however, it is a completely different story. Washington State has enjoyed ideal weather this year, with moderate winter conditions and a warm spring which resulted in an excellent bloom and good pollination levels.

Growers in neighboring Idaho and Oregon have also experienced the good weather in the north west of the country.

Both Oregon's and Idaho's sweet cherry yields are expected to rise by a quarter, reaching 65,000MT and 2,300MT respectively.

In terms of tart cherry production, the most notable change this year came from Michigan, whose output for the season is set to slip due to extensive freeze damage.

In 2013 the state produced 98,838MT of the fruit, but this year only 82,327MT are expected.

Elsewhere in the U.S., Washington State's good weather is likely to increase the tart cherry yield from 8,119MT to 11,793MT, and Utah is expecting similar rises, from 12,474MT to 16,329MT.

Overall, the national tart cherry production is expected to be 10% lower this season.

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