Schuyler Farms, Ontario’s largest tart cherry grower, will not be running its Simcoe packing plant in 2026 due to lack of a crop. Weather events ranging from an April frost to cool nights in May have resulted in a negligible crop. 

“Unfortunately, Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to Ontario red tart cherries this season and we have had a devastating crop failure across the province,” said the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers. “We do not anticipate any tart cherries in pails at grocery retail this season.”

Other growers, such as Cherry Lane in the Niagara region, have also been affected. Owner Michelle Smith told CityNews: “We have only about 40 to 50 per cent of a crop this year,” she said.

In Cherry Lane’s case, Smith blames cooler and wetter spring weather and a lack of pollination, for the poor crop. Her last major crop failure was back in 2012. 

Source: Ontario Tender Fruit Growers