One of the UK's leading cherry suppliers JO Sims says the introduction of new rain covers at a number of its production sites in the US state of Washington should protect a proportion of its new-season fruit and help it to escape the worst effects of heavy rain in the region at the end of May.
Harvesting of Rainier cherries on the company's Washington orchards, more than 120ha of which are located throughout the state, began in week 23 and should continue until around 10 August, with the first arrivals in the UK expected by 15 June.
The Spalding-based company has claimed a first in the US with its recent trial of Voen covers, protecting some of its cherry production from the recent adverse conditions.
'Innovation is key to developing our business,' commented managing director Christopher Sims. 'Whether with new varieties, farming practices or other initiatives, we continue to invest in order to meet the demands of our markets and to continue to be able to deliver quality and good value for our customers and the UK consumer.'
The company confirmed that several Washington orchards producing early fruit had been hit by frost and rain, adding that crops would be down compared with the 2012 campaign.
'JO Sims' orchards are spread across the state,' added Sims, 'which makes us less vulnerable to early season weather problems and helps us to provide a steady flow of fruit throughout the British summer.'
