In the Ebro Valley, in southern Tarragona, the cherry season is ready to get underway with a slight advance compared to the norm. According to forecasts, the harvest of the earliest varieties will begin around April 15, confirming the strategic role of this area in European early-season cherry production.
The past winter was marked by irregular weather conditions, with heavy rainfall alternating with strong wind gusts. However, these anomalies did not affect the earliest productions, grown under plastic covers.
This was highlighted by Hèctor Ripoll, partner and grower at Cerima Cherries, a leading company in the Tarragona province: the protected cherries have maintained a regular development and are heading toward a slightly earlier harvest compared to the usual calendar.
The situation is different for open-field crops, which are currently in bloom. Adverse weather conditions have prolonged this phenological stage beyond the usual timeframe, creating uncertainty about the following phases.
The impact on fruit set and productivity still needs to be assessed: rain and wind could affect both the quantity and quality of the fruit in the coming weeks, making reliable forecasts difficult for mid- and late-season varieties.
Cerima Cherries manages around 550 hectares of cherry orchards and continues to invest in the gradual expansion of cultivated areas, with the aim of ensuring consistent production well distributed over time.
Among the season’s new developments is the introduction of a new exclusive variety, designed to strengthen the early segment and offer a distinctive product on the market.
The cherries produced by the Spanish company are mainly exported to the United Kingdom and European Union countries, as well as to Middle Eastern and Far Eastern markets, confirming the growing international demand for high-quality products.
The early start of the harvest is a positive signal for the sector, but weather developments in the coming weeks will be decisive in determining the overall outcome of the season. In an increasingly climate-affected context, the ability of companies to adapt remains a key factor for competitiveness in the cherry industry.
Source: freshplaza.it
Image source: Cerima
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