The cherry harvest has been delayed in the main producing areas of Spain due to colder than usual weather conditions and some rains, which recently took a toll on the earliest crops in the Jerte Valley.
"We are about 15 days late with the cherry harvest in the Jerte Valley, although the harvests have been delayed in almost all producing areas in Spain and other European countries," says Mónica Tierno, general manager of the Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte (Jerte Valley Cooperative Association).
"Although we had already started harvesting some limited volumes of the first extra-early batches, the rains last weekend caused the earliest fruit to suffer cracking within certain areas. The damage is not very significant in general terms, but it is further delaying the start of the harvest," says the grower and trader.
For this reason, there are hardly any cherries available on the markets, while demand is quite high. "In recent years, we have seen the exact opposite, harvests starting much earlier because of the heat and drought, so many companies have gotten used to receiving good volumes of cherries in early May. This is also the reason why there's such eagerness to start," says Mónica.
Small quantities are being harvested at the moment, but according to the general manager of this organization, as temperatures rise in the coming weeks, volumes will increase. Shipments will first focus on the domestic market and, in around two weeks' time, we'll have the first exports.
"On a commercial level, early harvests are always better, but we have very good prospects for this season, in which we are expecting a medium to high production and good calibers," says Mónica Tierno.
Given the heavy frosts in producing countries such as Turkey and Greece, among others, prices are expected to remain more stable in June, which is the period with the greatest concentration of cherry supply in Europe. "Wherever we see opportunities to supply cherries and cover product shortages, we will make the best of them, always after supplying our clients," says the grower and trader.
Last April, a protocol for the export of cherries to China was signed by the authorities of both countries. "Cherry production has continued to grow in recent years, so any new market or niche that can be opened up and add value will always be positive. We are one of the entities working in the registration process to export to China, which requires adhering to a fairly strict protocol in terms of cold treatments. For that reason, we and the sector as a whole believe that it's important to start with small tests, but with plenty of quality, to then achieve steady growth over time," says Mónica Tierno.
For more information:
Mónica Tierno Díaz
Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte
Ctra. Nacional 110, km 381
10614 - Valdastillas, Cáceres, Spain
Tel.: +34 927 471070
[email protected]
www.ac-vallejerte.es
