According to Tesco, one of the country’s largest retailers, the volume, quality, and sweetness of the fruit far exceeded expectations, consolidating domestic cherries as the star of the summer.

Thanks to the increased hours of sunshine and warm temperatures, this season’s cherries are larger, sweeter, and juicier than in previous seasons.

Tesco reported that this favorable weather has led to the largest harvest in three years, estimated at up to 8,000 tons, quadrupling the 2018 volume.

Since the beginning of July, Tesco has announced that it will be able to supply its entire supply with cherries from Britain, without having to import fruit.

Olivia Amey, cherry buyer for the chain, emphasized that “the climate has played a key role in the quality of the fruit we’ve been tasting across the country. We know consumers will be impressed.”

UK Cherry Innovation
British production has also gained ground thanks to agricultural innovation.

Growers such as Kent-based AC Hulme have implemented techniques that extend the season to ten weeks, double what it was five years ago. Measures include the use of dwarf rootstocks, cultivation under plastic tunnels, and early- and late-ripening varieties, such as Sweet Aryana, Grace Star, and Kir Rosso.

“The UK cherry sector is undergoing a transformation”, said Tom Hulme, managing director of AC Hulme.

“In addition to new varieties, we are using controlled storage and light-regulating tunnels to extend the season without sacrificing quality”, he added.

These innovations have not only improved product quality but have also reduced harvesting costs, as short trees can be harvested without ladders, keeping the fruit at competitive prices for consumers.

Source: Portal Frutícola