Agriculture + Viticulture

Oversupply and taxes batter cannabis producers

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Benton County cannabis producers and processors saw revenues fall sharply in 2025 as falling marijuana prices, oversupply, high taxes and competition from illicit sellers continued to squeeze Washington’s legal cannabis industry.

Hop industry adapts to life after the boom

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Hops industry leaders say the current downturn reflects less of a collapse than a market correction following years of rapid growth driven by the craft beer boom. As beer consumption shifts and demand cools, growers and brewers are searching for new opportunities in exports, hospitality and nonalcoholic beverages.

Wheat growers struggle with negative margins, market volatility

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

New cost pressures tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East – particularly around energy markets and fertilizer supply chains – are adding another layer of uncertainty for wheat growers heading into the next year.

Potato growers adapt amid global pressures, local challenges

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Anew set of challenges has emerged for Washington potato growers, reshaping not only how the spuds are grown, but how the industry competes in an increasingly complex marketplace.

Apple growers balance stronger prices against mounting costs

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

After several years of sizable crops that pushed down prices, a slightly smaller harvest, stronger pricing for premium varieties and more disciplined harvesting practices helped stabilize the market this season.

Cherry season looks promising, weather permitting

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

This year’s cherry forecast is looking brighter after the previous year’s prices let growers down despite a large and high-quality crop.

Washington agriculture navigates export gains, China losses, tariff uncertainty

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Washington agriculture remains highly export-dependent, heavily tied to Asian markets and vulnerable to trade disruptions and shifting international demand.

Washington agriculture faces shared challenges and a shared future

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Washington agriculture is at a pivotal moment – one that calls for both a clear understanding of current realities and a thoughtful approach to the future.

Wine industry adjusts to declining production, softer demand

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Washington’s 2025 wine harvest was, by official accounts, one of the most favorable in recent memory. Weather across the state was stable, yields were largely average, and vineyards avoided the extreme heat events that have defined difficult vintages in recent years.
But the numbers tell a different story.

Tight margins, rising costs challenge Washington farms

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Washington growers and producers are under pressure from rising inputs and labor costs, water scarcity and increasing regulatory burdens.

Forecast looks rosy for state’s cherry farmers

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

A large crop and favorable market conditions promise a good year for Northwest cherries.

This family’s roots run deep on Red Mountain

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Two couples were the first to plant vines on Red Mountain. Today, the area is a celebrated wine area that’s home to its own federally-recognized growing region and a winery that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Hop growers grapple with glut, declining demand

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Washington hop growers are expecting another tight year of production and sales amid a hop glut and diminishing demand.

Wheat growers poised to deliver a solid crop despite turmoil

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Washington’s wheat production in 2025 is expected to benefit from increased acreage and favorable growing conditions, though market factors and export dynamics continue to be unpredictable.

Drop in demand puts potato market in unfamiliar territory

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Washington’s potato industry faces new uncertainty following unexpected shifts in the worldwide market along with increasing economic pressures on local growers.

Another large crop could add pressure to crowded market

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Washington followed up its second-largest apple crop in 2023 with a harvest nearly as big in 2024, and early signs point to another strong crop in 2025. But for growers, another large harvest brings as many challenges as opportunities.

For exporters, a stable year gives way to uncertainty

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Tariff and market uncertainty could have an effect on the state’s exports in 2025.

Smaller yields, fewer wineries point to shrinking industry

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

The contraction of the wine grape industry has deepened.

Ag industry tries to find footing in changing world

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Time and again, Washington’s producers have met adversity with grit, creativity and a strong sense of purpose. Their continued commitment to innovation and sustainability is what drives the industry forward.

Challenges persist for Washington’s farmers

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Challenges remain as the growing season gets underway, and government regulations and volatile trade environments also will play a role.

Washington’s bitter harvest of challenges and opportunities

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Washington is known worldwide for its apples, but our state is also among the nation’s top producers of hops, cherries, grapes, potatoes and wheat, among other crops. Yet each year’s harvest reveals a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities for our state’s agriculture industry.

Growers work to align supply with demand

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Hops growers faced a difficult 2023, and times may get tougher in 2024 with the industry bracing for its smallest crop yet.

Export-dependent wheat market faces growing competition

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Washington is still recovering from drought conditions that have undermined its wheat production, and it’s too early yet to tell if this year will be better.

Farms feel pressure of costs, regulations, labor shortages

sara@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Multiple factors have contributed to rising agricultural costs which likely have contributed to a drop in the number of overall acres of farmland in Washington.

A beast of a market grips potato industry

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

An increase of potato acreage, shifts in processors’ business models and ideal growing conditions mean the surplus has led to no shortage of problems.

Northwest cherries bounce back after difficult year

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Good growing conditions mean high-quality cherries and good returns to the growers. After last year’s disaster, the forecast is optimistic.

Heat could be biggest threat to apple quality this year

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

The 2024 apple season may see a return to normal after the boom and bust of the previous two years — if the weather cooperates.

Farmers help fuel fight against hunger

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Second Harvest's mission is made possible by the hard work and dedication of the good people in the agriculture and food industry, who generously donate 90% – yes, 90% – of the 35 million pounds of food we distribute each year.

A time to turn challenges into opportunities

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Washington state’s agricultural industry remains a vital part of our economy, culture and community. However, the data reveals a complex landscape where our producers face unprecedented challenges and confirms what industry experts have been expressing for years.

Wine grape quality continues to shine despite setbacks

sara@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Despite a setback in 2023, the Washington wine industry is poised for growth.