The first consignment of Californian cherries reached the UK this week, going on sale at Booths at the start of a promising season.
Sharrocks Fresh Produce in Preston received a delivery of 108 boxes - two pallets our of the six currently on the market - from Trinity Fruit. The remaining four pallets have gone to the Brazilian and Chinese markets.
Grown by Warmerdan Fruit Packing in California, the size 10-11.5 Glen Red cherries are said to be of “absolutely fantastic” quality, although early-season volumes are in short supply.
This is the second consecutive year Sharrocks has supplied retailer Booths with the product, which will come on stream in more significant volumes in three weeks' time as the market moves through the Californian, Washington and Canadian cherry seasons.
Brian Eastham, director of Sharrocks Fresh Produce, told freshinfo: “There has been excellent interest so far and Booths always like to get its produce in early, so it's great to be able to supply them.
“The whole market has been completely bare for the last few months and everyone seems to wait to see what the North American season holds each year.
“Volumes look to be up on last year too, which is positive as the quality was very good last year but production struggled. Generally it's looking like a very good year in the cherry market, although obviously the weather may play its part.”
No comments yet