Fruit growers may benefit from European woes

Problems that have plagued Leelanau County cherry growers for years appear to have taken a toll on European farm operations, which could be a good thing for local farmers.

Spring frosts — a fear of growers everywhere — took out cherry buds in Poland, reducing the overall tart cherry harvest in one of American orchardists’ competitors.

“I think the silver lining of this year for marketing has been that the crop in Europe was short,” said Mark Miezio, president of Cherry Bay Orchards based in Suttons Bay Township. “I’ve heard of other processors that have been able to export, and to export at relatively strong pricing. That was something we didn’t see previously. So this year, at least, we seem to be benefitting from short crops elsewhere.”