Cherries are They Really an Economic Boost? Oregon lately has been going through what analysts call a recession. Every part of the Oregon economy seems to be taking a little bit of hit it seems like in the economy part of their business. Not the cherry industry though, the cherry industry in Oregon for the past couple of years has been on the rise. When it comes to agriculture the article is pointed towards adults and teenagers that would read the food section in the Oregonian. The maraschino cherry is one of many cherries that are helping Oregon's economy to get back to normal. When you think about cherries you usually think about a cherry on top of ice cream sundae. Well that's a maraschino cherry. People around the world love cherries especially on ice cream sundaes. This is great news for the producers of the cherries because their product will always be in demand because no one can resist the great taste of ice cream. Everyone loves an ice cream sundae every once in a while at least. In 1997 the cherry industry was worth an estimated $24 million dollars into Oregon's economy. This in turn brings a significant amount of money into the Oregon economy. Oregon is the biggest supplier of maraschino cherries in the United States. By being the biggest supplier we profit the most which in turn is a good thing for the economy to get back into gear. In the overall economy of Oregon cherries are the 14th most profitable agricultural commodity right behind winter pears. Throughout the last couple of years the cherry industry keeps growing and growing profits which is why the cherry is so highly ranked in the agricultural field. When there is a positive there is always a negative right behind it. Cherries are great thing for an economy; they bring some generous revenue and profits back into Oregon. The problem is though when the processing of cherries is done the waste-treatment in getting rid of the cherries is about $2-3 million dollars a year. This is a bad thing because of the significant costs to get rid of the cherries. It eats into the profits that we could be making instead of wasting money into the disposal of the cherries. Another bad thing about growing cherries in Oregon is that the weather in Oregon in the past couple of years has been so unpredictable. Oregon in the past couple of years has seen some of the severest weather conditions from drought to flooding where cherries are grown. Farmers in Oregon are always skeptical when growing cherries because they have to be grown just right to get perfection and quality in their product to be successful. Overall the cherry industry at some times is great for the Oregon economy, but sometimes it's hurtful to it. It all depends on the weather because in the end of it that has the biggest effect on whether or not cherries will have a successful year or not. Also, another big thing might hurt cherries one day is that people may one day decide that cherries are no longer worth it, but in my mind I think they have long time before anyone every considers that to be a possibility. The one thing I know is that I will always want a maraschino cherry on top of ice cream sundae and I bet that you will always to. Though the cherry is sometimes expensive to process and make the end result is always worth it to the average day consumer.Sources:1. Zhao, Yanyun (2002). "Understanding the Research and Education Needs of the Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Industry" http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html#208 (26 Jan. 2004)2. Pokarney, Bruce (1997). "Oregon Cherries Observe Presidents Day" http://www.oda.state.or.us/information/news/Cherries.html (26 Jan. 2004)3. Oregon State University (2004) "Oregon Sounty and State Agriculute Estimates"http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat/SR790-03.pdf (08 Mar. 2004)
