Producer expects fruit sizes of up to 34mm as season gets underway a week ahead of schedule
Major British cherry producer Mansfields is reporting excellent quality and large fruit sizes as its season begins a week earlier than usual.
Picking began at Norton Cherries, part of Mansfields and the wider Greosn group, on 17 June. This is an earlier start thanks to the May heatwave, which accelerated the crop’s development.
The producer said early indications point to an “outstanding” season, with “excellent” fruit quality and cherry sizes of up to 34mm.
Norton Cherries grows 60 hectares and 10 varieties of the fruit across two farms in Kent. The range of varieties, together with innovative growing techniques, will help extend the British cherry season until the beginning of August, ensuring a sustained supply of domestic fruit.
Greosn’s group marketing team visited Norton Cherries’ orchards on 17 June to film the start of the harvest, with Mansfields MD James Miller and Norton Cherries farm manager Milush Petrov showcasing the quality of this year’s crop.
