Unusually cold spring weather has decreased the volume of the Northwest’s cherry crop, leaving some growers with little or no fruit and delaying the harvest for everyone else.

The region, which includes five states, has shipped more than 3 million 20-pound boxes, compared to the 7 million normally shipped at this point in the harvest, which will continue through this month. The region is expected to ship only about 8 million 20-pound boxes this season, just over half of the amount shipped a year ago - and it would barely match the 8.7 million 18-pound boxes the California cherry region harvested this spring.

The shortage has also driven prices up, which has hurt producers with more people paring back their grocery bills in the midst of a struggling economy.

Meanwhile, raspberry prices have doubled since last year, with processors paying $1.50 a pound.

Prices are expected to climb, reaching $2 a pound later this summer.

The spike is providing financial relief for farmers, who have faced plummeting prices in recent years.

Washington and Oregon lead the nation in red raspberry production, with more than 12,000 acres. (AP)