Cherry growers in north-west US are reporting a good start to the new cherry export season, with daily shipments now running at around 72,000 20lb-equivalent cartons and 200,000 cartons already shipped to date.
This year's total crop has been estimated at just under 9.73m cartons. With peak shipments expected to start around the beginning of 1 July and continue until the third week of August, production is set to increase dramatically over the next couple of weeks.
'Quality has been exceptional in the early part of the season with over 67 per cent of the crop packing out at a size of 10.5 row or larger,' reported Andrew Willis, promotions director at the Washington State Fruit Commission. 'Promotable volumes will be available throughout the month of July, especially after 10 July.'
Weather in the north-west has reportedly been ideal for the continued development of the crop. Clear, sunny weather and temperatures around 80° have characterised much of
the past week, according to Mr Willis. 'This provides a perfect climate for the accumulation of size, sugar and colour for the cherries still on the trees,' he adds.
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