Kelowna, British Columbia-based BC Tree Fruits Cooperative expects a record 12-million pound sweet cherry fresh crop this year, up from 10.1 million pounds last year.
Fruit harvest in the Okanagan Valley is expected to begin in at the end of June, according to a news release.
“Mother nature served our growing regions with ideal weather conditions through bloom into the post-bloom period, which has resulted in a lot of fruit on the trees,” BC Tree Fruits marketing manager Chris Pollock said in the release. “Our growers are excited and prepared for great summer fruits crop this year with harvest starting end of June for cherries in the south, with the fruit hitting retail shelves very soon after.”
BC Tree Fruits markets cherries mainly in western Canada and also exports to the U.S. and other countries, according to the release. The marketer also is anticipating steady or increased volumes of peaches, nectarines, prunes, plums and table grapes this year, according to the release.
