Consumers across the UK can expect to see a bevy of cherries arriving in supermarkets now and through the remainder of the summer thanks to a strong crop this year.
The prediction from Love Fresh Cherries, the nation’s biggest representative trade body for the sweet British fruit, is that stores will be getting a total of 5,500 tonnes this season.
“All the signs are in place for another promising 2021 British cherry crop, as demand for fresh cherries continues to grow, with around 20million kg of cherries enjoyed across the country last year,” Matt Hancock, Love Fresh Cherries spokesperson, said. “Despite, the relatively unusual stormy weather and cooler spring temperatures, causing a delay in earlier varieties like Merchant and Grace Star, this has had no impact on fruit quality so far.”
Last year, with an early frost, Britain enjoyed a bumper crop of 6,000 tonnes of cherries and farmers and the rest of the supply chain did well to keep retailers stocked through the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK growers in Kent, Staffordshire, Hampshire, Lincolnshire and Essex – buoyed by chilly weather earlier this year – are prepared to deliver a robust harvest that should last from early July to August, according to Love Fresh Berries.
Late season fruit will extend cherries in stores through September and will come from Hereford and Scotland.
