Northwest cherries

Northwest Cherries has released an update for the 2012 cherry crop, which is now officially underway in the US.

According to the group, just over 3m 20lb boxes have been shipped up to the end of 26 June.

Start-up has been slower this year due to what the group calls 'unseasonal cool weather' across the northwest in late May and June.

'Weather patterns have created work for our growers but fortunately any inclement weather has been forecasted well in advance, allowing most growers in the particular region to take a wide variety of preventative measures.

'To date, the most impact fruit has been our early season varieties in our earlier growing areas,' the report continued. 'However, total crop damage appears to be minimal. Most varieties and growing regions continue to fare well overall and growers look forward to the coming harvest.'