The UK cherry crop is still expected to be larger in volume than last year despite recent rainfall.
Picking started 10 days ago, in line with recent averages for the beginning of the season, with early varieties such as Merchant in Kent. Early tunnel production in Ledbury, Herefordshire also kicked off at around the same time.
"Recent rainfall has induced some splitting of the fruit," said Nick Marston, managing director of KG Fruits, “but we still expect a heavier crop than last season.”
The picture is slightly different for plums. Early variety, Opal, which opens the UK season is expected to come on stream as usual at the end of July. "At this stage the crop is looking very heavy," reported Marston. "Plums are not affected by June drop and there was not any frost during flowering to thin blossom from the trees."
Mainstay variety Victoria, which follows on from Opal in August, is also expected to put in a strong performance and the harvest is forecast to top last season's too.
"Marjorie Seedling had a good season in 2003, but this year we are expecting the crop to be lighter," said Marston. The main reason for the differences is that growing conditions in April and May last year were not as good as this season creating problems for the earlier varieties while the later Marjorie Seedling flourished in the record-breaking summer. This year the pattern looks to be reversed with fine weather in the spring boosting Opal and Victoria and Marjorie Seedling slightly affected by the recent cooler, rainy spell.
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