Critical equipment investments helped the company meet fresh cherry processing goals during its 38th year.
Prosser, WA (August 27,2026) Spring freezes. Heat domes. Summer rain. These are a few of the weather hazards that Washington growers and processors navigate when producing the nation’s largest crop of sweet cherries. Family-owned Chukar Cherries—now in its 38th year—managed to meet production goals despite a fresh cherry crop down 16% statewide due to spring freezes. This year, Chukar Cherries processed nearly 285 tons of fresh cherries—about the equivalent weight of the Statue of Liberty.
"It was a challenge to process fruit fast enough," said Tim Oten, General Manager of Chukar Cherries. "The last few years we've focused on equipment upgrades and operational improvements in anticipation of unpredictable harvests," Oten said. "This year showed just how important those investments have become." Cherry processing in 2026 lasted just 31 days, significantly shorter than Chukar’s 42-day average.
A key factor in this year's success was a second cherry processing line installed with support from a Washington State Department of Agriculture grant, increasing the operation’s processing throughput significantly. Chukar’s 2024 and 2025 investments included a cherry sizer that allows operators to tailor fruit drying times precisely, an on-site cherry lab to quickly test brix (natural sugars), and a third cherry dehydrator.
Fragile cherries are processed within hours of arriving at Chukar headquarters, starting with a cool water bath, de-stemming, sizing, and pitting. In June and July, the company's cherry processing team operates around the clock. Four pounds of fresh cherries are required to make one pound of Chukar’s famous cherries which are naturally dehydrated, layered in premium chocolate, and gift wrapped all at Chukar headquarters in Prosser.
To celebrate the completion of harvest, Chukar Cherries is hosting a cherry-themed giveaway in collaboration with Northwest Cherries. Entry details are available on Chukar Cherries' social media @chukarcherries.
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About Chukar Cherries
Transforming local cherries into Northwest goodies and gifts has been Chukar's specialty since the company launched in 1988. Chukar’s cherry specialties can be purchased at their factory headquarters in Prosser, Washington, at their store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market or shipped national-wide at CHUKAR.COM.