US NW Bing cherry harvest

Total exports of US cherries will reach 89,000 tonnes this season, up 33 per cent compared to last year, according to estimations from the USDA.

The top four major export markets were Canada (up 31 per cent), South Korea(up 59 per cent), China/Hong Kong(up 60 per cent) and Taiwan(up 61 per cent).

Japan came in fifth, but recorded a 20 per cent drop in US cherry imports compared to 2013. Australia and the UK also imported less during the US cherry export season, which ran from April to September.

China and Hong Kong received 62 per cent more cherries compared to 2013, which commanded better prices than expected, according to iQonsulting.