French on form

Although 2003 saw quality cherries produced across France, frosts in April led to reduced volumes. The total volume of cherries produced last year in France amounted to 40,500 tonnes.

The projected volume for 2004 is between 55,000t and 60,000t according to the president of the French Cherry Committee, Jean Pierre Giacomazzi. “In early April 2003, severe frost on the flowers destroyed 40 per cent of production. For the growers in the mountainous areas of the Ardèche region some of them lost around 90 per cent of their total production,” he says. “However, it wasn’t all bad news as other regions of France had a good harvest and there was no rain in May or June.

“One of the great advantages of French cherries is that they are grown in a variety of climates, so when there are problems, rest assured at least one area will have a good crop.”

Harvesting of French cherries this season began in early-to-mid-May depending on the region. The season did begin marginally later than expected, which brought with it a few problems. Giacomazzi explains: “The season began around 10 days behind schedule. By starting later you lose a window of opportunity within your marketplace. Furthermore, you also miss the chance to get some good prices for your produce.

“Turkish cherries are in the market now, and the volume is around three times the total produced in France, approximately 200,000t. Due to the sheer volume of Turkish cherries we are not able to get the volumes of cherries in all the markets we would like, including in the UK. We know we have the quality to contend with the Turkish market - we just need to get into more fruit into the market.”

French cherries are having success in some European markets. Producers are hoping to use this as a springboard to further development. “The Swiss market is good for us although it is only available to us for a short period. They like the quality of our cherries, and their consumers are not afraid of spending money, and are happy to pay the price for quality produce,” says Giacomazzi. “Also, Germany is a good market; German consumers eat a lot of cherries and although the prices are not as high they take large volumes.”

Giacomazzi is keen to increase the level of exports to the UK, as it feels that it is a marketplace, which is perfect for French cherries. He says: “There is a great deal of potential in the UK market, as French cherries would definitely satisfy the tastes of UK consumers. Last year though only 1,456t of cherries were exported to the UK. We are looking to work closer with UK supermarkets in the future in a bid to increase volumes.”

Growers are continually working hard to improve upon their existing varieties. At brothers Eric and Gilles Tabardon farm in the Mount Ventoux region, besides growing table grapes, they farm around 25ha of cherries, producing around 250t a year. Eric is also president of the nearby experimental station, where they are currently working on 125 new varieties of cherries and 100 varieties of grapes. He explains: “The research station works not just on the varieties, but on training, crop spraying and quality of fruit after harvest. We are also working with other research organisations such as the National Institute of Agronomic Research and CTIFL (Centre Technique Interprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes) to see how we can improve our fruits.”

The station is twinned with a US research station, and the two organisations get together each year to exchange information and to learn new techniques from each other. Eric says: “This year we will be visiting British Columbia in Canada and Oregon in the US to learn the latest developments. Much of our time is spent trialing new varieties, which is a long and frustrating process. For example, of 3,000 new varieties trialed, only two may be grown in commercial volumes. But if these two offer something different to the consumer and provide an opportunity for French growers it is worth the effort.”

The Tarbardon brothers grow three main varieties on their farm, Burlat, Summit and Belge Badacsonny. And like a large number of French growers, the pair are looking to produce larger and better tasting varieties.

All of the cherries from Eric and Gilles Tarbadon are exported through Val de Nesque in Malemort. The organisation represents a group of 70 producers who specialise in French cherries and table grapes, producing around 1,000t of cherries and 2,500t of table grapes. Head of Val de Nesque Olivier Salignon says that by the producers joining forces they have better market opportunities available to them. He says: “We have two criteria which we have to fulfil. One is that we have many varieties, and secondly that the varieties last for the season’s duration. If we were unable to fulfil both criteria then we should not be calling ourselves specialists.”

All of the produce exported through Val de Nesque is fully traceable back to the field. Salignon explains: “Each pallet that comes in from the farmer has its own individual code, so if quality needs to be traced back at any stage of the chain it can be done.”

Salignon would like to see greater volumes making the UK market, but he is fully aware that EurepGAP certification is required if this is to happen. “At the moment this is very expensive for producers and the expense cannot be justified. The producers are all ISO 9001 certified, which they view as essential.”

Demand for large-sized cherries is increasing all the time and growers are focusing on growing larger, juicier varieties. There has also been an increase in demand for cherries in punnets. Salignon explains: “We trialed this last season, as it was requested by one of our customers, it was not an area we were greatly interested in. But it was so successful last season that we had to do it again this season.”

Last season due to the difficult weather conditions the group sold around 1,350t but expectations are much higher for 2004. “We are expecting sales to top 1,700t this year, which will be a great performance,” says Salignon. “With French production costs high compared to some of our major competitors we have to look at excelling on our quality and saving costs elsewhere, we are doing this by assessing our production costs, but we are confident for the future.”

The CTIFL is trialing many different ideas to aid French cherry producers. Muriel Millan, of CTIFL, explains: “We are trialing two new varieties of Summit and Regina, which are being grown on two different rootstocks to see how we can improve the crop.”

The experimental site at CTIFL has around four to five hectares dedicated purely to cherry trials. Millan says: “There are around 250 varieties being trialed here at the moment. Producers would like a cherry somewhere between Burlat and Summit, and they want a cherry that eats well and is resistant to rain.

“Bi-coloured varieties are also being trialed, with work taking place on two new varieties,” says Millan. “Efforts are also being made to develop a variety without a stem.”

The centre is also looking at ways of reducing production costs. One such idea is the mechanised pruning of bushes, which is described as the “fruity wall”. Millan explains: “We cut the trees straight across the top at two metres, this method could lead to a hefty reduction in production costs. Also as the trees are more regulated, they could be covered which would protect them against rain. We are looking at a host of ideas for the cherry industry that can allow French producers to grow high quality cherries and also increase their market share.”