The open ground cherry harvest has been underway for two weeks in the earliest areas. At national level, the production is expected to be about 15% smaller than last season. Despite this lower fruit supply, prices have fallen compared to the beginning of the campaign in 2018.
"In addition to the lower yields this year, rains during Easter have caused significant losses, of up to 50% in some cases, The most affected are the early varieties in southern Lleida and Huesca," explains Francesc Pena Mestre, manager of Sat Bepa, based in Seròs, Lleida.
"We sell our cherries mainly to wholesale markets, and for them, receiving smaller volumes doesn't entail a big problem, since the sizes are large and the quality is quite high. Things will be more difficult for those supplying the supermarket chains," he says.
Also, the demand for cherries is not as high as usual for this time of the year. "Temperatures are low in northern Europe, and this has a negative impact on the demand," says the producer and exporter.
"At the moment, and although the supply is limited, prices are already between 30 and 40% lower compared to last year, depending on the size. From week 19, the cherry supply from other production areas will increase and prices will go down again."
For the first time, Sat Bepa will have a production of Royal Tioga cherries; a variety that is characterized by a great firmness, which will make it possible to ship the fruit to Thailand and Singapore from week 19. Exports are also going to already consolidated markets, such as the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
For more information:
Francesc Pena
SAT BEPA
Les Eres, 19. Seròs. Lleida. Spain
T: +34 973780064
M:+34 626493104
francesc@olimpfruit.com
www.olimpruit.com