Cherries Bad and Good Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. With the unusual overlap of cherry harvest in California and the Pacific Northwest, and the glut of cherries on the market, it was a cherry season many will want to forget.
But, BJ Thurlby, President of Northwest Cherry Growers, says there have been one or two good things to note with this harvest …
THURLBY … “Well, you know, if there’s a bright light this year for the growers, it would be the export markets. We’re sitting right now right at 35% of the crop being exported. You know, markets like China, and Korea, and Taiwan are showing great signs of just rolling forward.”
It’s been a challenging season, Thurlby says but not a total loss …
THURLBY … “There’s been a lot of fruit put on the water this year which is indicative of a year when we have, you know, kind of these compressed crops, just trying to make sure we have enough for everything.”
And this year’s cherry quality, Thurlby says has been notable …
THURLBY … “You know, the fruit has been from really the first of July on, it’s been a banner year for the fruit quality. And these growers have just done an amazing job. So, we’re hearing from the foreign markets, you know, people saying, wow, this is great fruit, keep sending it. So, that’s good, and the export markets have been kind of a bright spot for us if there is such a thing in a year like this.”
For the month of July, 152 freighters were sent to Asia loaded with cherries, and more are expected this month.
