The English cherry harvest has started but it seems the crop will be much lighter than in previous years, with areas of Kent particularly affected.
According to Jon Clark from Fruit Growers Alianza, who’s associate FGA Farming, is one of the UK’s largest cherry grower producing fruit on it’s 100 hectares in Kent, the volumes will be down considerably. He feels growers in the area, depending on their varietal mix, will have lost between 50 and 80% of their crop. Herefordshire & Midlands growers are looking at a loss of 30%, at the moment it is looking more positive for Scottish growers who may just be 20% down on a normal year. Wherever you look in the UK, and also in Northern Europe, there is not the crop expected.
Jon comments, “We had a strange winter with late chill hours and pollination in the spring was interrupted by a cold spell, this is the case throughout Kent, the agronomists can’t find a sound reason for this phenomenon which has never been seen before. We have had worse growing conditions in the past, but have never seen such low volumes as a result of pollination followed by a large 'June drop'.”
The Kordia variety has been the worst affected, initially other varieties looked like they were going to be ok but the Lapin cherries had a big June drop which was partly expected, but not to this extent. What was not expected was that there would be so much loss in the Regina and some other varieties.
“It even varies in different parts of the orchards, but it is very random with some areas looking ok, while two rows further there is nothing.”
Matthew McIntyre at McIntyre Fruits who grows cherries near Blairgowrie in Scotland seems to be looking at a more positive harvest. “We are expecting a reasonable crop, the earlier varieties will not have a heavy crop but the later ones are looking much better, over all we expect around 80% of our normal volume this season.”
The shorter crop means bigger sizes and quality is looking good, according to Matt. “We have had some very hot weather but this has not pushed the cherries on too far. We still have a long way to go, the first picking will be around 20th August and the Scottish weather can be very unpredictable. All of our orchards are covered but there is still the danger of warm humid weather in the months to come. If the English season is short or finishes early, we should be able to supply the market.”
‘Volume of cherries are down this harvest season throughout the UK, due to a slower start to the warm weather. However, the increase in temperature over the past few weeks has meant that the crop we do have is of incredible quality and extra sweet," said Jon Hillary, Cherry Product Manager at Driscoll’s. "So, whilst quantity is down, quality is certainly up which is good news in its own right, as it means consumers can get their hands on the best possible tasting British cherries.’
‘We have seen a lower tonnage than expected so far because of an extended period of wet and rainy weather leading up to and during the first half of May, but thankfully nowhere near as 90%.’
Jon Hilary said that they have not seen a particular area of the UK which is more affected than others.
"Most of our growers are experiencing lower volumes verses last year, but we are still happy with the quantity we are able to supply."
Good market conditions
For growers who have volumes the market is looking good as there is not a lot of imported fruit on the market. European growers have been hit by adverse weather conditions and demand has been strong on the European market.
The Spanish crop was hit by heavy rain at the start of harvest, resulting in big losses for growers. In Extremadura 70% of the crop was lost.
In the Netherlands and Belgium volumes were down by 30-40% due to a cold and wet spring, with frost during the blossom period in early April.
The early cherry season in Italy was damaged by very heavy rains, at the moment the offer is stable and with good quality but the whole cherry season will close earlier than usual due to lower volumes (-30%).
In France the drop in production is not huge (-5%), with big sizes, but prices are very high, almost 10 euros per kilo.
Farther afield in the US, Washington State and British Columbia the harvest is down due to a very cold spring and then a sudden increase in temperatures which resulted in a much shorter blossom period than normal.
Source - https://www.freshplaza.com
