The cherry production forecast in the U.S. Pacific Northwest has dropped following heavy rainfall in some growing regions, according to website Capitalpress.com.

Northwest Cherry Growers president B.J. Thurlby reportedly said that what previously was estimated as a crop of 18.3 million 20-pound-equivalent boxes now was probably a 17-million-box crop.

A total of 7.3 million boxes have been shipped since the start of the season around a month ago. The majority of the fruit was picked before the rain last weekend, he added.

"It wasn’t a horrible rain storm. It could have been worse. It stayed cool and the wind blew," he was quoted as saying.

Wind reportedly helped to the dry cherries and cool weather afterward reduced cracking.

There is still reported to be plenty of fruit available for Fourth of July promotions.

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