After a disastrous 2024 season, cherry producers in British Columbia (Canada) are looking ahead to a breakthrough year. 2025 could mark a long-awaited return to normal, with forecasts of record-breaking harvests and unusually strong demand, both domestically and internationally.
“Winter brought ideal conditions, with an optimal number of chilling hours,” said Ricky Chong of World Fresh Exports. “The cool spring further enhanced fruit quality.” The result? An estimated production of 5 million 20-pound cartons (approximately 9 kg each), figures unseen in recent years.
After five years marked by extreme weather events linked to El Niño and La Niña, growers are hoping for a stable and productive season.
The harvest will begin on June 10 in the southern Okanagan Valley, in Osoyoos, with the early varieties Tieton, Sylvia, Santina, and Cristalina. From there, it will progress northward to Vernon, 170 kilometers away, where late-season varieties such as Skeena, Lapin, Kootney, Regina, Sweetheart, Sovereign, Sentennial, and Staccato will be harvested.
The operations are expected to continue until late August or early September.
According to Chong, Canadian retailers are seeing particularly strong demand, driven by renewed support for local products in response to the U.S. political climate. “Consumers are supporting Canadian agriculture and the local supply chain,” he explains.
But the most compelling opportunities lie in exports: China, discouraged by the 54% tariffs on U.S. cherries, is increasingly interested in Canadian supply. A delegation of Chinese importers is expected to visit the region next month, followed by representatives from Korea and Japan.
Europe and the Middle East may also put pressure on the availability of late-season varieties, as cold weather has damaged spring crops in Turkey and Greece.
The collapse of BC Tree Fruits (BCTF) last fall enabled World Fresh to expand its network of growers and support many former suppliers. “We wanted to prevent losses for these farmers by offering them commercial continuity,” Chong emphasizes.
To meet diversified demand, the company expanded its packaging range, introducing pouch bags, clamshells, and elegant 1 kg wooden gift boxes for the Canadian market.
One of the most exciting developments for 2025 is the introduction of modified atmosphere containers for extended fruit preservation. This technology could extend the commercial shelf life of cherries from 30 to 60 days, allowing for deliveries through October and helping to efficiently manage surplus volumes.
“The goal is to provide fresh cherries year-round through innovation and smart logistics,” Chong concludes.
Source: freshplaza.com
Image source: World Fresh Exports
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