Canada: BC Tree Fruits expecting large crop of cherries
In addition to an increase in the popular summer tree fruit, consumers can expect to see cherries in their local grocery stores earlier than anticipated. In comparison to this years estimated crop, 2011 saw a cherry crop yield of 4.6 million pounds.
Hank Markgraf, BC Tree Fruits Senior Field Adviser attributes the anticipated large crop to favorable weather. “A mild winter and an early and hot spring led to our cherry trees blooming three to five days ahead of last year. Most trees have finished blooming and show a large crop. We were lucky that we didn’t experience any frost issues that other parts of Canada experienced,” Markgraf adds.
Chris Pollock, Marketing Manager for BC Tree Fruits agrees. “Cherry season is always one of the most anticipated amongst consumers.” “We are excited to increase our production from last year and see fresh BC produced cherries in grocery stores longer.” Pollock adds that an early season crop aids in their returns as it allows BC Tree Fruits to offer consumers a consistent supply of BC products throughout the season.
Consumers across Western Canada will be able to find BC Tree Fruit cherries in their local grocery stores at the end of June and will remain in stores likely until the end of August.
For more information:
Chris Pollock
BC Tree Fruits
Tel: +1 250.470.4213
[email protected]