However, according to Jon Clark from Total Cherry, "We are now a few weeks into the season and it is now all catching up on itself with good quantities coming from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Spain. Overall the quality is good, especially from those established cherry growers and exporters who care for their fruit, all the UK and Northern Europe need now is some bright sunshine to help stimulate sales." The Picota cherry, from the Valle de Jerte in Spain, has also had a late start to its campaign with fruit only just starting to appear which is 2 weeks later than normal, with a reduced crop values are higher than normal.
The UK cherry is getting closer to its start date and the first fruit will be picked around July 4th, but volumes will be limited until around July 20th. "There is a good crop on the trees, which means the size will be down by 1-2mm from last year, with the slow growing season the expectations are for excellent quality fruit and also a late harvest, with fruit being picked in to September," explains Clark.
Across the the Atlantic, the growers in Washington state have had some rain showers to fight off as they begin their harvest, most of the fruit destined for the UK/Europe will not be picked for another month so there are no fears on quality of that fruit at this time. The crop volume is down from last year and the hopes for this year, which means they will benefit from larger fruit coming from the trees.
Total Cherry are pleased to be handling a new and exclusive cherry variety this Summer. The Orondo Ruby cherry is grown by the Griggs family on their farm near Wenatchee, Washington State and marketed by Total Cherry’s Washington partners, Chelan Fresh. The discovery of this unique cherry happened a few years ago when they noticed a tree in the orchard was producing a different cherry the rainier around it. The fruit was earlier, larger, high colour, and sweeter – but with a balanced background taste too. Hours of work and study went in to the tree to produce a commercial crop and deliver this exceptional cherry to the world.
For more information:
Jon Clark
Total Cherry
Tel: 0044 1775 717180
Email: jon.clark@totalcherry.co.uk
www.totalcherry.co.uk