The California Cherry Advisory Board (CCAB) has announced record-breaking global sales of Bing cherries this season.
Following record results last year, CCAB reported that total 2008 shipments have gone even higher and reached 337,000 18lb boxes - up by over 10 per cent on last year’s peak of 300,000 boxes.
CCAB general manager Jim Culbertson said: “Growing conditions have been exceptional and have helped produce a perfect crop. This is extremely good news for growers, shippers, importers and retailers, and has demonstrated the growing public appreciation of the quality of the fruit.”
UK figures have not yet been announced, but are thought to be running at a similar rate of sales expansion.
Neil Gordon, ceo of NMG Consulting, who oversees marketing of California Bing in the UK, said market reaction has been excellent this season. “This year became a sales opportunity dream,” said Gordon. “The new season fruit arrived bang on time, and there was virtually no competition from other suppliers from the last week in May through to the second week in June,” he said.
“The in-store tastings went very well, and we were able to offer consumers the first cherries as the summer fruit season kicked off.
“Selling stone fruit is always unpredictable as so many elements such as unexpected heavy rain or hail can wreak havoc, but fortunately 2008 came good.
“We were a bit concerned about the UK weather forecasts at the beginning, but suddenly the sun started to shine and the cherry shoppers were out in force.
“The success has not gone unnoticed by our customers, and we believe supermarkets have done well. This great season has also helped to confirm the quality and availability of the cherries in consumers minds.”
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