The Federal Register has published the update to the marketing order governing Washington sweet cherry handling to eliminate 12-row and add 7- and 7.5-row designations.
These changes were recommended by the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee in both 2024 and 2025 and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, according to the final rule published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Aug. 27.
The decision to strike 12-row fruit from the handling regulations will allow growers to make crop insurance claims on that fruit, which rarely has value in today’s cherry market, according to the committee members who advocated for the change. The committee voted unanimously to add the two larger size classes, saying it will create more marketing opportunities for that premium fruit.
Washington state cherry handling regulations will be updated to align with the federal marketing order on Jan. 1, 2027, as well, the Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed. •
