After a few years of difficult seasons for British Columbia (B.C.) cherries, this year, growers in the province welcome a large crop. "It is a big change from the last several years. This crop almost looks like it's a couple of harvests in one season," says Sukhpaul Bal, a grower and president of the B.C. Cherry Association.
Cherries in the province began harvest slightly earlier this year following more regular weather intervals. "There have been spurts of heat for a few days, and then temperatures have dropped between 5 to 10° C. We haven't had weeks on end of heat, so this gives the trees a chance to relax a bit," says Bal.
While some growers will harvest until mid-August, some higher elevation farms in the province will go until the end of August, though shipping will go into early September for those markets that want fruit later.
© B.C.Cherry Growers
Varietal notes
Right now, production on the Lapins variety is kicking off the main B.C. cherry harvest. "Previous to Lapins, there are some earlier varieties in smaller volumes to get into the domestic market with a little bit of exporting done," says Bal. "Staccato has been the most widely planted variety in the last 10-15 years. That variety will be at the tail end of July-early August. Sentennial is another late one."
This times the fruit to hit peak supply in the first week of August from the northern part of the Okanagan Valley, which is when the market is a bit stronger with not as much volume from other competing cherry-growing countries.
While B.C. growers are working on getting this year's large crop off the tree, it is a reminder of those challenging past seasons. Last year, for example, a cold snap in February dramatically reduced the crop by an estimated 20-25 percent. "It showed how vulnerable we are with not just cherries, but agriculture in general. We need to get back to some normalcy with food security," says Bal. "The government needs to recognize that if we want farmers to continue to work, they need to augment the support systems keeping them in place. Agriculture is at the mercy of what the weather does, and the extremes are beyond manageable. You can't stay in the business if the product you're trying to work with is not there."
© B.C.Cherry Growers
The outlook on demand
This year, however, a strong supply of B.C. cherries is helping to boost summer demand. "There's a lot of fruit from the U.S. market at this time of year. Week by week, the outlook improves," Bal says, adding that the U.S. is also not exporting as much fruit due to trade issues. "As their volume starts diminishing, that's our chance to supply the market. When we get into August, that's when our phones ring off the hook from people looking for more cherries."
Also helping to boost demand and awareness around B.C. cherries is the third annual Canadian Cherry Month running from July 15 to August 15. Support for this campaign includes consumer contests, a grower storytelling campaign, initiatives around health and education, advertising, and more.
As for pricing, growers in the province are hoping for relatively steady pricing, which will increase as late-season cherries come up. "I anticipate that demand will pick up and that'll allow us higher pricing for cherries. They need higher pricing. The costs of growing are increasing, so we need a strong price as we finish," says Bal.
For more information:
Sukhpaul Bal
B.C. Cherry Association
[email protected]
https://www.bccherry.com/
