The retro cherry flavour is making a comeback: +150% in online sales. And the warm summer boosts all seasonal fruit.
The wave of nostalgia that has brought the “cherry” flavour back into fashion is also having a real impact on fresh fruit consumption. This is confirmed by Ocado, the British e-grocery giant, which reported a 150% increase in cherry sales compared to last year.
At the same time, searches for “fresh cherries” on the platform rose by 72%, a clear sign of a trend in full bloom.
“The cherry flavour has gone from being a nostalgic recall to a seasonal must-have, appearing across many categories in creative and surprising ways,” explained Ben I’Anson, senior fruit buyer at Ocado.
“This popularity is also being reflected in fresh cherries, which are experiencing a true rediscovery by consumers.”
A revival that started with flavoured drinks and snacks, and then spread to fresh produce: a domino effect that shows how flavour trends can influence the agricultural sector.
Also strengthening the success of cherries and all summer fruit was the excellent climatic season in the United Kingdom.
This was highlighted by Ocado’s CEO, Hannah Gibson, in a LinkedIn post: “It’s been an extraordinary summer for cherries, and we’ve believed in it from the start: sales are up 2.5 times (150%) compared to 2023.”
Gibson also praised the quality and early availability of strawberries, as well as the abundance of the harvest of British apricots at the peak of the season.
And the trend continues with the online debut of English plums and greengages, traditional green plum varieties.
In her remarks, the CEO acknowledged the key role of the entire supply chain, thanking suppliers such as BerryWorld, Worldwide Fruit and J.O. Sims:
“An incredible job by our growers and partners, who have faced the challenges of a warm season with great commitment and turned them into opportunities.”
A concrete testimony of how the combination of consumer trends and favourable weather conditions can bring value to fresh fruit – and particularly to cherries – in a market increasingly attentive to taste and seasonality.
Text and image source: fruitnet.com
19 Feb 2026
A 13-year study in Čačak, Serbia, on a high-density sweet cherry orchard (1,250 trees/ha) comparing Mazzard and Colt rootstocks. Growth, yield, fruit quality and profitability were assessed on heavy, acidic soils without irrigation, highlighting long-term differences.
14 Dec 2023
Meet Gregory Lang, a horticulture trailblazer with roots in Ohio and a passion for fruit production. part of Cherry Times Technical-Scientific Committee.
17 Jul 2026
Early heat, faster ripening and overlapping harvests across Vignola, Puglia and Trentino shaped the 2026 cherry campaign. Valfrutta Fresco and Agrintesa protected value, quality and grower returns through Vignola IGP cherries, organized supply and strong market demand.
17 Jul 2026
Bacterial canker of sweet cherry, caused by several Pseudomonas syringae pathogens, threatens orchard yield and longevity. This article examines causes, symptoms, spread, diagnosis, and integrated strategies for sustainable prevention and control in cherry orchards.
