Spain, Italy and Bulgaria are now getting underway with small volumes of fruit. Clark says a slow start to the season is not necessarily a bad thing, many growers believe a slow growing process improves sugars and cell structure in the cherries.
Volumes may be down on last year in most producing countries, around 80% of last year. Recent storms in France, Greece and rain in Spain also caused a bit of damage.
The UK crop has had a good fruit set but according to Clark there could be a bigger drop off this year, and of course the season will be a little later by around 10-14 days.
The Washington cherry season is larger and earlier this season so it will overlap a little more with the European this year, with air-freight through July and sea-freight through August & September.
For more information:
Jon ClarkTotal Cherry
Tel: +44 1775 717180
Mob: +44 7525 668880
jon.clark@totalcherry.co.uk
www.totalproduce.com