Cherry plantings are likely to increase in southern California as production increases to meet demand. The state has 30,000 acres of sweet cherries, according to Jeff Colombini, president of Lodi Farming, Inc., in Stockton, California. About 20,000 acres are in the northern San Joaquin Valley and 8,000 are in the southern part of the valley, which is developing as a cherry-growing region. Another 2,000 acres are planted in other parts of the state, predominantly on the coast and in the Hollister area. California has 28,000 bearing acres. Sweet cherry production in 2005 did not reach its potential because of several […]