Washington Cherries Face New Federal Size and Packing Rules
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
Washington sweet cherry growers and handlers will see new rules that raise the minimum size for most cherry varieties (except light sweet types like Rainier). The update also changes how cherries are packed by removing one size option and adding two new ones. These changes aim to keep cherry quality top-notch, and folks have until April 8, 2026, to share their thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Minimum Cherry Size Raised
The rule would raise the minimum marketable size for most Washington sweet cherries (except Rainier, Royal Anne, and similar light-sweet types) from 54/64 inch to 57/64 inch in diameter. Under the proposal at least 90 percent, by count, of cherries in any lot must be at least 57/64 inch, and up to 5 percent, by count, may be smaller than 54/64 inch.
Pack Table: Add Larger Size Classes
The proposal would remove the 12-row designation (54/64 inch) and add two larger row-count designations: a 7 1/2-row size with minimum 88/64 inch diameter and a 7-row size with minimum 92/64 inch diameter. The revised table's smallest defined row count would become 11 1/2 (57/64 inch).
Eases Crop Insurance Barriers
The Committee recommended the size increase in part to reduce crop insurance barriers: crop insurance adjusters often require harvesting all "marketable" fruit to file claims, and increasing the minimum size aims to reduce the burden of harvesting low-value small fruit after weather losses. The Committee stated small (54/64–57/64 inch) cherries make up about 1–2 percent of the market.
Consumers May See Larger, More Consistent Fruit
AMS says the changes are expected to benefit consumers by aligning marketed cherries with market demands and enabling the industry to market larger-size, premium cherries (via the new 7 1/2-row and 7-row designations). The rule is intended to support quality and marketability of Washington sweet cherries.
Small Growers Remain Majority; Handlers Mostly Large
The rule applies to about 1,350 Washington sweet cherry growers and about 35 handlers. AMS reports the average grower receipts estimate is about $323,200 per grower (based on $1.08/lb and 404,000,000 lb shipments), indicating most growers meet the SBA small-entity threshold; the majority of handlers have estimated receipts above the SBA threshold (about $36,590,857 per handler).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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