British Columbia wrapped up a successful 2018 cherry season with high quality product. “Our season ended August 23rd,” says Julie McLachlan with Jealous Fruits. “Based on our blossom dates, we expected to complete the season September 3rd. However, the heat we experienced this summer compressed the season and resulted in an earlier finish date.” Despite the earlier finish, Jealous Fruits saw a slight increase in volume over 2017. The company is already looking forward to next year as it has the potential for a significant increase in production. “Some of our orchards have not yet had a commercial crop and next year will be their first year with commercial cherry production.”
Support throughout entire season
“Due to the trade dispute between the US and China, the demand for Canadian cherries was frenetic this year,” shared McLachlan. Many customers were wanting to start buying as soon as the cherry season started, and the support continued through the entire season. “We did not increase the volume shipped to China this year as we had season-long prior commitments to customers in other markets, including Thailand, the US, Vietnam and Dubai.” Although information from the BC Cherry Association is not available yet, cherry exports from Canada to China are expected to be up this season.
Access to Japan
Jealous Fruits ships cherries worldwide. In addition to the above-mentioned markets, they are exported to Europe, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Japan to name a few destinations. This year, Canada received access to Japan for trial shipments and will have full access to the Japanese market in 2019. The Japanese market offers huge potential for Canadian cherry growers as Japan imported around CAD $63 million of fresh cherries from around the world in 2017.
For more information:
Julie McLachlan
Jealous Fruits
Tel: 250-766-0738