The start of the Northen Hemisphere cherry season is always an exciting time, mainly due to the temperamental weather patterns, and this year there is also the situation of tariffs thrown into the mix, this could change the whole dynamics of the season.
Jon Clark, owner of Fruit World International, has been in the cherry business for many years. he has been involved in the import and export of cherries as well as setting up major cherry orchards in the UK.
"A lot of factors will influence this season, and for Europe, there is a mix between Eastern Europe and Western/Northern Europe's fortunes. Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, all supply the European and UK markets, but these countries have all suffered frost events resulting in a loss in excess of 30% of their crops. Poland also has less fruit this year than normal. Spain is running around 14 days late; the crop seems to be 'normal,' but the volumes won't be there until the 2nd or 3rd week of May. Northern Europe and the UK have had a good winter chill and spring blossom, leading to a great fruit set and early-stage development that will lead to a season of good quality and potentially a good crop. This will, however, not make up for the losses in Eastern Europe as the loss of production in Turkey and Greece alone is more than the combined production in Spain, Belgium, France, and the UK."
"California and Washington have good crops, but the uncertainty created by trade tariffs has closed down the majority of export potential, so it appears that a lot of the fruit will be sold domestically. Canada suffered with huge frosts last year and this year looks to be back with a decent crop, and the potential to capitalise on markets where the USA have traditionally exported to, and although they are back they suffered tree death as a result of frosts and also missed last year's shooting wood that would be this year's fruiting wood."
Cherries are seeing an increased demand year on year with great tasting varieties available from beginning to the end of the season.
"In the past, we have had softer, low-sugar varieties at the start of a season that are high value but never deliver that cherry flavour. In recent times, varieties like Royal Tioga start the main Spanish season with firm and sweet fruit and which helps with consumer demand, and also cherries are still a seasonal product, not being available all year, so that creates an interest. As a result of the low volumes in Eastern Europe the demand this year will be different to normal with countries like Germany and also Scandinavia pulling more fruit from Spain, in addition Spain can now export to China and that comes at a time where there is uncertainty over their traditional imports from the USA, I expect that to be a small volume but to a market like China a small amount in their language is large in European terms."
The potential crop in the UK from the South East to Scotland looks good both in terms of quality and quantity given the ideal conditions at blossom and early fruit development stages and according to Jon we will see UK cherries from the start of June until early October supplying both domestic customers and the ever-increasing export market which Fruit World supply in their Bonanza and Blossom brands.
"This will be an interesting season for sure. If you look at certain parts of Europe, you see a large volume of fruit, but when you look at global production and demand, there is a big shortage of fruit based on historic production and consumption."
For more information:
Jon Clark
Fruit World International
Tel: +44 (0) 7525 668880
[email protected]
www.fruitworld.co.uk