Dehydrating 700,000+ Pounds of Cherries This Summer
If you’ve ever tasted Chukar Cherries’ iconic chocolate-covered cherries or their dried cherry blends, you’ve had a bite of Washington history. This summer, the Pike Place Market business celebrated its most successful cherry season ever, dehydrating over 700,000 pounds of cherries for their beloved treats.
A Bountiful Northwest Harvest
Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of sweet cherries, and 2025 proved to be a remarkable year. Local orchards enjoyed excellent growing conditions, with relatively stable weather, resulting in plump, flavorful fruit. From orchard to kitchen, these cherries traveled through local packing plants, juicing facilities, and ultimately into Chukar’s dehydration tunnels.
Chukar Cherries, founded in 1988 and still family-owned, remains the only commercial dehydrator of sweet cherries in Washington State. Their dedication to quality and local agriculture has helped put Northwest cherries on the map for chocolate lovers everywhere.
Innovation Meets Tradition
Behind the scenes, this record-breaking year came from both a bumper crop and major investments in efficiency. In 2024, Chukar introduced a new industrial sizer that revolutionized their production line. By sorting cherries down to the millimeter, the company could tailor drying times and speed up the process while preserving the fruit’s integrity.
Other upgrades included new de-stemmers, improved pitters, and the addition of a third large-scale dehydrator. With these advancements, Chukar’s team, nearly doubling in size during the summer season, worked around the clock to process cherries quickly and sustainably.
As General Manager Tim Oten explains, “We are committed to a local workforce, Northwest fruit, and zero-waste processing.”
Visit Chukar Cherries at Pike Place Market
At Pike Place Market, Chukar Cherries’ shop is a must-stop destination for locals and visitors alike. From their signature chocolate-covered Bing cherries to new seasonal creations, you’ll find an array of all-natural treats that capture the flavor of the Northwest.
Next time you’re in the Market, stop by to celebrate this record-breaking cherry season with Chukar.
