An increased focus on Asia has helped propel the value of British Columbia’s cherry export crop to CA$91.7m (US$66.6m) in 2015, a 70 per cent increase on 2014.
China was a leading light for the Canadian industry last year, following on from the success of a federal trade mission to People’s Republic in 2014 that ultimately led to full, unimpeded access for fresh cherries.
“As a direct result of our efforts, the export value of fresh, sweet cherries to China has more than doubled from 2014 to2015, rising from CA$9.9m (US$7.1m) to CA$24m (US17.4m),” said British Columbia’s agriculture minister Norm Letnick.
Asian opportunities are expected to increase for British Columbia’s suppliers over the coming seasons, thanks to Canada’s participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership.
“Thanks to the close working relationship with our provincial cherry industry, we look forward to exploring new opportunities with Pacific Rim countries that recently signed the Trans Pacific Partnership,” Letnick added. “British Columbians have always known about this tasty, sweet fruit from the Okanagan. The secret is out. Together we want to share British Columbian cherries with the world.”
British Columbia’s total cherry export crop reached 13,600 tonnes in 2015, a 56 per cent increase on 2014.
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