Increased plantings of new late harvested cherries are having a major effect on the scale and shape of production in the four US fruit producing states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah.
“Apart from increasing overall volumes, this is beginning to substantially extend the season,” said Teresa Baggarley, international programme specialist for the Washington State Fruit Commission.
With the major air and sea freight export season based on Washington expected to get under way on June 25, a week earlier than last year, Baggarley was in the UK this week on a fact-finding mission meeting
importers and buyers. Grower/ packer initial estimates point to the Washington crop reaching 118,500 tonnes, a 16% increase - surpassing the record last year of 102,600 tonnes, which was only slightly less in 2001 at 102,200 tonnes.
Over three-quarters of Washington’s cherries are sold fresh, compared with around half in neighbouring Oregon, the other major player.
This state is also forecasting increases at 47,600 tonnes compared with the 34,600 tonne five-year average.
“The initial forecast points to picking starting in late May,” Baggarley says. “If the weather holds there could be 10 million 20lb boxes. Orchards are past the blossom stage. Things are looking very good although we are still waiting for the effects of the June drop - Nature’s way of thinning the fruit.”
Late varieties are also having an impact, such as the US-bred variety Sweetheart, available after dark red Bings and Lapins, and more recently Golden Ranier, once thought to be too tender to export.
David Shapley
“Apart from increasing overall volumes, this is beginning to substantially extend the season,” said Teresa Baggarley, international programme specialist for the Washington State Fruit Commission.
With the major air and sea freight export season based on Washington expected to get under way on June 25, a week earlier than last year, Baggarley was in the UK this week on a fact-finding mission meeting
importers and buyers. Grower/ packer initial estimates point to the Washington crop reaching 118,500 tonnes, a 16% increase - surpassing the record last year of 102,600 tonnes, which was only slightly less in 2001 at 102,200 tonnes.
Over three-quarters of Washington’s cherries are sold fresh, compared with around half in neighbouring Oregon, the other major player.
This state is also forecasting increases at 47,600 tonnes compared with the 34,600 tonne five-year average.
“The initial forecast points to picking starting in late May,” Baggarley says. “If the weather holds there could be 10 million 20lb boxes. Orchards are past the blossom stage. Things are looking very good although we are still waiting for the effects of the June drop - Nature’s way of thinning the fruit.”
Late varieties are also having an impact, such as the US-bred variety Sweetheart, available after dark red Bings and Lapins, and more recently Golden Ranier, once thought to be too tender to export.
David Shapley
No comments yet