Following ideal climatic conditions this spring, including dry and sunny weather, Belgian cherry growers are anticipating their best season in five years, according to cooperative Belgian Fruit Valley (BFV).
BFV’s campaign kicked off on 11 June, with the company currently supplying around 80 tonnes of cherries a day. The season is expected to last until the end of July.
“The grading stations of the Belgian Fruit Valley are buzzing with intense activity, ensuring the cherries are packed perfectly for consumers worldwide, with a special focus on quality, size and colour,” BFV stated in a press release.
Although many domestic retailers favour imported cherries, such as from Greece and Turkey, some are giving decent shelf space to Belgian cherries, a move that BFV believes will be appreciated by Belgian consumers.
Furthermore, domestic sales are especially important this season due to the limited possibilities for exports on account of the fine weather conditions throughout Europe, with other cherry-producing regions coming into production simultaneously.
According to BFV, the production area for cherries has risen to over 1,000ha in Belgium, with 400ha added since 2010. In addition, cultivation has become more professionalised, with the use of covers to protect from rain and the planting of varieties like Kordia and Regina, known for their excellent taste and shelf-life.
BFV sees the potential to increase production at the company to around 3,000 tonnes. “Our investment in a state-of-the-art electronic sorting installation, combined with hydrocooling, is a big advantage and enables BFV to deliver the perfect cherry to households worldwide,” the group stated.
