Cherries can be a challenging crop to grow at the best of times and Mother Nature has been particularly troublesome this season. The weather has proved problematic for growers around the world as unpredictable conditions brought delays and in some areas, damage to crops.
Spanish cherry harvesting began later than normal in the first week of May as prolonged, cold winter conditions delayed blossoming. The challenges affecting this season’s Spanish stonefruit production have been well documented and though estimates vary by region as well as variety, the forecast is that overall cherry volumes could fall by as much as 20-30 per cent on 2009 levels.
Picota cherries are a key summer staple and the UK is a major importer of the stalkless fruit. They are grown in the Jerte Valley, which lies south-west of Madrid in the Cáceres region of Extremadura, and are cultivated by around 5,000 local producers.
Pilar Diaz Flores, technical director for the regulatory council for Picota cherries, anticipates good quality fruit this season, providing that the current weather conditions continue and there is no rain.
The Picota season is around 15 days later than normal and cherries will be available from the third week in June. “The forecast for Picota cherry production is around 4,500 tonnes, of which we expect to export more than 50 per cent,” Diaz Flores says. “We don’t expect increases in our exports to the UK this season, although it is too early to predict this.”
Diaz Flores describes the 2009 campaign as “very successful”. “We exported 40 per cent of our production of cherries including Picota and in the UK, we achieved exports of approximately 2,500t,” she says.
Tino González Alvarez, who handles export sales for Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte, anticipates stronger demand from UK retailers this season.
“Given the successful sales in Asda and Morrisons last year, other retailers such as Tesco want to increase their Picota stocks this season,” he explains. “However, much will depend on our volumes - if there are no problems with weather, the campaign will develop normally.”
González praises the promotional activities and efforts of Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior (ICEX) and Red Communications, which have enabled Picota cherries to be recognised and differentiated from conventional cherry supplies to the UK.
In order to build on the solid demand, investment in new packaging and labels is key. “We must maintain the quality level required by British customers each season,” says González. “Given the delicate nature of cherries and external factors such as climate, this can be challenging.”
However, he is confident that Picota will retain its reputation as “queen of the cherries” and will continue to find favour in the UK.
Elsewhere in Europe, unfavourable weather has hit Italy’s crop. According to recent reports, crops have been battered by torrential rains, winds and hail. The south-east region of Puglia has been affected significantly, with the areas around Bari and Lecce worst hit. The varieties Bigarreau, Giorgia and Ferrovia are all affected and recent estimates suggest that crop damage could total €5 million (£4.1m).
Meanwhile, California cherry punnets selling at half price were a regular feature on retail shelves in late May and early June.
This season, cool spring temperatures delayed the start of the Californian cherry season by five to seven days. Despite the later start, some 5.7m cartons of cherries had been shipped by 4 June, a substantial rise on the 5.32m cartons shipped in the same period of 2009.
Early forecasts predict that the Golden State may exceed last year’s volumes of 8.26m cartons and could even surpass the record 8.66m cartons achieved in 2008.
California is followed by the Northwest region in early June and sources predict an overlap between the two areas. The Californian cherry crop could run to 20 June and reports from the Northwest Cherry Growers predict harvesting will begin on 10 June for the earliest varieties, with the Bing harvest due to begin about a week later.
The Northwest region is enduring its second coldest May in 50 years and rain in some areas has caused concern, although only the earliest varieties have been affected.
A Northwest crop of around 14.5m 20lb (9kg) cartons is anticipated - 20-25 per cent lower volumes than last year - and the season could last for 12 weeks until 20 August.
“UK importers have their programmes in place and have reported that they are looking forward to a positive season - we should start earlier this year due to the early crop,” says George Smith, UK representative for Northwest Cherry Growers, adding that the industry is not expecting any impact from the California season on Northwest exports to the UK.
The UK remains an attractive export market for the US. “Traditionally, the UK has ranked in the top five export markets for the US and in recent years has moved up to second and third place depending on crop availability,” Smith explains.
The weather remains the most important factor for the industry. “If Mother Nature provides abundant sunshine and good picking conditions, our opportunities are increased, but if there’s hail or rain damage this becomes our greatest challenge,” Smith says.
Producers have increased their cherry plantings in recent years and as greater volumes come on stream, competition is intensifying.
Most producers had a sizeable crop last season and the situation across Europe shortened additional windows of opportunity for Northwest growers, says Smith. However, it could be a different scenario this season as growers in both Spain and Italy have smaller crops.
“The Holy Grail for cherry importers is to find and supply cherries all year long,” Smith says.
According to recent reports, less than five per cent of Turkey’s production has been affected by the weather and the new campaign is expected to begin at least one week earlier than 2009.
The country has invested heavily in cherry production in recent years and significant volumes of high-density cherry orchards have been planted. There has also been a greater focus on later varieties in order to extend the 12-week window and complement the existing offer.
Harvesting will begin at the end of May with the 0900 Ziraat export variety and sources have reported normal growing conditions and good quality.
Producers are hoping for a return to normality following last season’s challenges, when poor weather led to some pollination problems.
Leading producer Alara Agri will begin supplying the UK from week 24 and intends to increase its exports in 2010. “Our target volume is over 2,000t compared to 1,500t last season,” says ceo Kerim Taner, adding that the producer will extend its supply period with later varieties from Alara’s own orchards.
However, currency issues remain a concern as the Turkish lira has strengthened by 10 per cent against sterling in the last 12 months.
Nevertheless, Alara says that Turkish cherries are considered to be of the highest quality and the country is a reliable source, supplying product for at least eight weeks in the summer. The use of modified atmosphere packaging has boosted Alara’s exports and Taner says the packs ensure consumers receive top-quality fruit.
Alara has also developed a risk management system to guarantee food safety to its retailers and consumers.“We make pre-harvest analysis of each grower,” Taner says.
Turkey is the world’s second largest cherry exporter, exporting 51,000t in 2009.
BRITISH BATTLES FOR MARKET SHARE
UK suppliers are optimistic about their chances of growing their slice of the retail cherry market in the coming years.
“There’s been a big renaissance in UK cherry production in recent years,” says Sarah Calcutt, business development manager at Norman Collett. “Different varieties are better suited to our climate now and improved technology such as protection systems that can defend against frost and rain and good graders are now available.”
Norman Collett handled UK cherries for 12 weeks last season and anticipates a further rise in domestic production across the industry in 2010, following a good blossom period. Output is expected to rise rapidly in the future as young orchards come on stream.
Norman Collett supplies a number of UK supermarkets and Calcutt says there are better opportunities to offer more substantial programmes to retailers compared to five years ago.
The UK industry concentrates on a core 10 commercial cherry varieties, including Merchant, Stella and Lapin, with many new varieties in development. Within the range, Penny, Sweetheart and Regina are gaining in volume and popularity.
According to recent figures, some 380 hectares of land are devoted to UK cherry orchards. Significant efforts are being made towards developing new varieties that will extend the season and provide good fruit yields.
No comments yet