This year's cherry season in British Columbia got off to an early start, and that's putting it closer to Washington's season."The cherry season in British Columbia will likely start three weeks earlier than normal,” noted Bryan Key from Consolidated Fruit Packers. “We could have cherries by next weekend.” A mild spring with warmer than usual weather brought on the early crop. He added that the southern part of the province might have lighter volumes, and last year's high temperatures might have something to do with that.
"There are many reasons why some growers will have lighter volumes” he explained. “It could just be that last year the heat stressed trees, and there could also have been problems with pollination during bloom. There was a lot going on." But, he added, with less fruit on the trees, this year's cherries will likely be bigger than if there had been a larger crop.
Competing with Washington
"The problem with us starting early is that we're compressed into the Washington deal, which is larger than the British Columbia deal,” noted Key. “We'll also be done earlier than normal.” Washington's output is much bigger than British Columbia's, so direct competition is not ideal.
"We'd rather not compete with Washington,” said Key. “We'd rather we had a window where we are the only supplier, and we are doing that by planting late varieties."
For more information:
Bryan Key
Conslidated Fruit Packers
+1 250 868 1400