"This year, we'll export our first cherries to Thailand"

"Fortunately, we have only lost the production of a plot located in the lower Ebro River, with 70% damage. Due to the cold, the yields of the early varieties will be somewhat lower; however, this reduction in the volume will be compensated by the entry into production of new plantations," says David Manero, partner of the producer and exporter Cerima Cherries. Also, it is still early to know how the late cherry harvest will come, and it remains to be seen how the fruit will be affected by last week's heavy rains.

The Catalan company has more than 450 hectares distributed mainly between Tarragona and Lleida, at different heights and with different microclimates in order to diversify the production risks, ahead of possible weather adversities. 100% of Cerima's production is its own, which allows it to fully control the product's traceability.

Due to the expected growth of its production volume, the company, which is a member of the Cherry Sector Board, is looking for new markets. "We have asked the Ministry of Agriculture of Spain to work on the opening of the Chinese market, although there is still much work to be done. Last year, the Asian market was opened in Thailand, where we'll be making our first shipments this year. The more markets we can open in Asia, the better, both because of its population density and because of the high demand for cherries in these countries. Canada is another interesting destination," says David Manero.

"Soon we will be ready to ship large amounts of cherries of certain varieties by container in a reliable manner, as shipments by plane do not allow us to send enough volumes. We must take into account that we expect a great production in the coming years," he adds.