"In recent years, the area for cherry cultivation in Yantai region has continued to increase. Nevertheless, this didn't affect Yantai cherry prices. To understand this situation we should take a closer look at the seedlings market. In 2015, the price of cherry seedlings in the markets of Yantai was only about 5-6 yuan. In 2017-2018, it has risen to 15-20 yuan, which is more than 2 times. This has mainly happened because of the growing popularity of Yantai cherry on the market in the past 2-3 years. Many fruit farmers across the country have begun to plant cherry, and a large number of seedlings have been sent to Shaanxi, Henan and other places", said Mr. Wang Gangchun from Yanping Yiping Agricultural Production Company.
Yantai cherry production base
Fresh cherries that have just been picked
"From a nationwide perspective, although the number of major cherry producing areas has increased, there are differences in the picking season of each producing area. The earliest production season is in Shaanxi, it is followed by Henan, and then in Zaozhuang in Shandong. Then there are Weifang and Tai'an production areas, they are followed by Yantai production areas, and finally Dalian production areas. I personally believe that the quality of cherries from Yantai and Dalian production areas is better because of the good environment and the natural advantages given by geographical location. If you want to produce a high-quality cherry, a fine land is the first key factor. "
Yantai cherry blossoms
Yantai cherry
"The open-air cherry production season in Yantai will begin in late May. This year, it will begin 1-2 weeks earlier than in previous years. The reason is the cold climate in most parts of northern China on April 6-8. The frosty weather has especially affected the production and quality of cherries in Shaanxi, Hebei, Zaozhuang, Weifang and Tai'an. According to my estimation, this will certainly have an impact on the market."
Workers sorting and packing cherries
"We have an open-air cherry production base in Yantai covering an area of 2 ha. The base is located close to the beach and the temperature difference between day and night is perfect. The cherries' taste, sweetness, hardness and brightness are very good. We have a wide choice of varieties. For example, around May 25, we are going to pick the Red Lantern variety. Around June 2, the Tieton variety. Around June 7, the Black Pearl variety, and the Amitabha cherry variety will be picked on June 8. At this stage, we mainly supply micro-business agents, large-scale e-commerce platforms and off-line stores."
Yantai cherry
"The right picking time is another key factor that affects the quality of the cherries. Farmers are often picking at the request of the purchaser. Cherries that are sold to the wholesale market are usually picked at the age of 6 months. To guarantee a better taste, all the cherries that we supply to our buyers are picked only after 8 months, when they are ripe for sale."
Wang Gangchun