The year 2024 is shaping up to be a difficult one for British Columbia's cherry growers, following the adverse weather conditions in early January. The B.C. Cherry Association (BCCA) recently held a membership meeting to review the impacts of the polar vortex that hit last month. In a statement released on Monday, the association's president, Sukhpaul Bal, said that this season is shaping up to be the most difficult ever faced by growers.
Extremely low temperatures have hit the cherry trees hard, which have not had time to adapt to the rapid climate change. In just a few days, temperatures went from above zero to -30°C in some areas, preventing the cherry trees from developing the necessary winter hardiness. The BCCA noted significant damage to the buds of the developing cherry trees due to this sudden drop in temperature.
Following the passage of the polar vortex, farmers started to collect cuttings from their orchards to assess the extent of the damage. The BCCA stated that the analysis of the buds clearly indicated that an unprecedented weather event had occurred, which was bound to affect the cherry harvest to a greater extent than any other past event.
Compared to three years ago, when the heat dome hit the province with record temperatures of 47°C, the BCCA believes that crop losses in 2024 will be much more severe. The association predicts that the effects of this climatic event could extend beyond next season, posing a considerable challenge to the sector.
The BCCA has announced that it plans to meet with provincial and federal government officials in the coming weeks to discuss the difficult situation the agricultural sector is facing. Bal stated that it is still too early to assess the impact on crops in 2025 and beyond, but he specifically mentioned the possibility that trees in the most affected areas may have suffered long-term damage, with the prospect of recovery possibly taking years.
Read the full article: Global News
Video: Global News
09 Jan 2025
A recent Chinese study analyzed their role in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). The findings showed that the seasonal expression of PavSPL genes varies throughout the plant's annual cycle, particularly during the post-dormancy recovery period.
10 Oct 2023
Producers have several management strategies at their disposal to increase the final size of the fruit, including fruit load regulation, proper irrigation and fertilisation management, and the application of biostimulants and growth regulators.
05 Dec 2025
South Africa’s cherry exports are growing fast: in 2024 over 800 hectares were in production. 60% go to the UK, followed by the EU and Middle East. China is the next frontier for 2026, with cold treatment protocols under evaluation to meet phytosanitary rules.
05 Dec 2025
Bloom Fresh cherries are transforming the global fruit market with new early and blush varieties. Grown in Chile, Spain, South Africa and France, premium selections like Cheery Glow and Cheery Treat meet rising demand from Asia, China and the United States.
