With summer on the horizon and the days getting longer, the excitement grows as the summer fruits from the orchards of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative (BC Tree Fruits) growers’ are near. Cooler weather this spring has resulted in a later start to the season for all commodities, which means consumers will see and taste cherries starting end of June. The good news – BC Tree Fruits are anticipating a record 12 million pounds of cherries this season, so there will be plenty of the juicy and sweet cherries for consumers to enjoy over the warm summer months.
The 12 million pounds of BC Tree Fruits cherries estimated for this season is up from the 8 million pounds from 2016, although last year’s estimate was 12 million pounds as well before inclement weather reduced the crop volume. At this time, BC Tree Fruits is anticipating a very good peach, nectarine, prune, plum and grape crop with volumes similar to last year.
“With weather serving up a cooler spring this year, it has enabled our grower base to be prepared for a delicious and high quality crop of cherries at more traditional timing,” says BC Tree Fruits Marketing Manager Chris Pollock. “Cherries and the rest of our summer fruits went through the bloom period exceptionally well and our growers are excited for a great crop this year with harvest starting end of June for cherries in the South, with the fruit hitting retail shelves very soon after.”
The primary market for BC Tree Fruits summer fruits remains Western Canada. BC Tree Fruits also continues to export increased volumes of cherries to the United States and key export markets.
For more information:
Chris Pollock
BC Tree Fruits
Tel: 250-470-4213