US-based tree fruit exporter Chelan Fresh is set for a record year of cherry production with volume expected to hit 3.5m 9kg cartons.
Total Cherry, which imports and distributes Chelan Fresh’s produce to the European market, said it was pleased with the record volume and claimed it was "50 per cent more than the yearly cherry consumption of the UK".
Director Jon Clark welcomed Chelan Fresh bosses Tom Riggan and Johnny Gebbers to the UK last week.
“Both were very pleased with the quality of the fruit inspected and also had a chance to see first hand the quality improvement test pallets shipped,” said Clark.
Tom Riggan, general manager of Chelan Fresh, added: “We have made a significant investment in extending the season as we see that as being vital for the changing UK and global marketplace in line with our own production.”
Clark concluded: “We are proud to have an exporter like Chelan Fresh in the Total Cherry family and it was great to have them in the UK last week; their commitment to look at the export market in the detail required to be successful is commendable and allows us the platform to build a mutually beneficial business."
