English cherry growers are hoping to benefit from a strong season this year, with the sector expecting to produce its largest crop in 20 years.
The industry, which was once thought to be in jeopardy, estimates that it will produce 3,000 tonnes of cherries this year, a significant increase on the 400 tonnes of fruit harvested in 2000.
The revival of the industry can be attributed to new dwarfing rootstocks that produce greater amounts of fruit from smaller trees, with excellent varieties.
The smaller trees, which are between 8-12 feet high, are easier to net, which is crucial to protecting the fruit from birds and rain damage. The netting can also provide up to two degrees of frost protection.
In a statement, Nick Marston from fruit marketer Berry Gardens said: “The yields are substantially larger – we’re expecting 5.5 tonnes per hectare industry wide this year and expect this to continue to increase each year from now on.
“By comparison, in 2000, trees were producing just 0.87 tonnes per hectare.”
Sarah Neaves, a third generation cherry farmer from Sittingbourne in Kent, said the warm spring had benefitted the English cherry industry, extending the season and increasing yields.
“We grow great produce in Kent and we encourage people to support the local cherry industry by seeking out and buying British fruit in-store,” she said.
The English cherry season, which began in the last week of June, will run until early August.
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