USDA Proposes Rule to Modify Handling Requirements for Washington Sweet Cherries

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting comments on a proposed rule to modify the handling requirements for sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington.

This action would increase the minimum size requirement of all sweet cherry varieties, except the Rainier, Royal Anne, and similar varieties, commonly referred to as "light sweet cherries." The proposal would also remove one row count/row size designation and add two new row count/row size designations to the Marketing Order's pack requirements. The Washington Sweet Cherry Marketing Committee recommends these minimum size and pack requirements changes to maximize market returns and facilitate access to crop insurance for growers, when necessary.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2026. Written comments are due by April 8, 2026.

Comments should be submitted through https://www.Regulations.gov or mailed to the Docket Clerk, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237. All comments on the proposed rule submitted by the deadline will be made available for public review and will be considered before publication of the final rule.

More information about the marketing order is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Sweet Cherries webpage.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by using their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to fruit, vegetable, and specialty crops marketing orders and agreements to help ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

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