Spain: Extra-early cherry harvest to fall by 50%

The frosts recorded in February took a toll on the areas where the blooming was at a more advanced stage, so the decline in extra-early varieties, such as the Early Bigi, will be of around 50%. "The phenological state of the cherry trees on 16 February, when the frosts took place, was the same as last year around 9 March, so we're talking about a 3 week advance in the blooming," explains David Manero, partner of Cerima Cherries. "For now, the frosts have halved the extra-early cherry volumes."

Given these circumstances, and that, in normal conditions, the first cherries usually reach exorbitant prices, the fruit could become really expensive.

"In our case, we are gradually focusing less on the variety Early Bigi, since we are choosing to concentrate on varieties with a more consistent texture, even if they arrive later," he explains.

Due to the warm temperatures this year, volumes are expected to be lower than last season, but the quality will be just as good, which could lead to higher prices. "Now the fruit's development is in a very early stage, with trees at between 85% and 90% of the blooming and others which have not started, yet. Things could still go either way, although we remain optimistic," points out David Manero.