Washington Cherry Growers Struggle to Find Pickers

'Farms will vanish': Cherry farms become ghost towns amid Trump's ICE crackdown

Cherry growers say they're seeing a severe labor shortage amid President Donald Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown, leading to a massive shortage of berries.A grower in the Mattawa, Washington, area lost about 300 bins — each weighing at least 350 pounds, horticulturist Erik Zavala told area t...

Labor challenges threaten Washington cherries ripe for picking

‘Gone for good.’ U.S. workers flee farms, leaving WA growers struggling under old rules

WA cherry growers struggle to find pickers

Growers say the prospect of immigration raids has led to worker shortages in central Washington.

Washington cherry growers struggle to find pickers

SPOKANE — The threat of federal immigration agents raiding orchards in Central Washington is causing a labor shortage that has left some Washington producers to leave cherries unpicked or delay their harvests until the fruit overripens and is worth less money. Read more...

A 'perfect' season for Washington's sweet cherries turns sour because of deportation fears - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Rainier cherries for sale at a Seattle farmers market in June 2025. (Credit: Monica Nickelsburg / KUOW) Read By Monica Nickelsburg, KUOWIt was supposed to be a banner year for Pacific Northwest cherries. Cherry production is estimated to be about 10% above last year’s, the fruit is high quality, and California’s shorter-than-usual season meant cherry pickers would be free to migrate north to bring in the crop.The only p…