PRESS RELEASE (USDA) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today sweet cherry producers in designated counties of Washington voted to continue their marketing order program.

In the routine referendum USDA conducted Feb. 5-26, 2024, continuance of the marketing order was favored by 98.2% of voting producers, representing 90% of the production volume voted in the referendum.

The marketing order enables the Washington cherry industry and the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee to implement quality, markings, pack, and container regulations, as well as conduct research and promotion activities under USDA’s oversight.

For the sweet cherry marketing order to continue, two-thirds or more of producers voting, or producers representing two-thirds or more of the volume voted needed to vote in favor of continuance. USDA is required to conduct votes every six years to determine their level of support for, or in opposition to the program.

More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) 923 Sweet Cherries webpage, the Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage, or by contacting the Market Development Division at (202) 720-8085.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually.  AMS provides oversight to fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.