Record breaking cherry crop expected this year in the Okanagan

BC Tree Fruits is expecting a record-breaking cherry crop this summer in the Okanagan.

With the cherry harvest fast approaching, this spring's combination of ideal growing weather is great news for orchardists and fruit lovers alike.

An estimated 12 million pounds of cherries is now predicted to be picked off of Okanagan trees and delivered to store shelves by the time the harvest finishes in late August.

In 2017, a record-breaking 12 million pound crop was also predicted, however weather challenges across the region led to only 10.1 million pounds of cherries actually being produced.

“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,” said BC Tree Fruits Marketing Manager Chris Pollock.

“Our growers are excited and prepared for great summer fruit crops this year with harvest starting end of June for cherries in the South, with the fruit hitting retail shelves very soon after.”

Consumers can expect to see Okanagan cherries from the orchards of BC Tree Fruits in stores starting the end of June and with the anticipated record crop, there will be plenty of juicy and sweet cherries for all to
enjoy over the warm summer months.

BC Tree Fruits is also expecting good peach, nectarine, prune, plum and grape crops this year.

The primary market for BC Tree Fruits remains Western Canada, although the company continues to export increased volumes of cherries to the U.S.A.

BC Tree Fruits Cooperative is comprised of over 430 local grower families who grow a variety of tree fruit commodities including apples, cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, prunes, plums and grapes.