According to Javier de Pablo Camarasa of Finca Albalate in Spain, the start was marked by adverse weather conditions, frost, hail, and rain, which reduced the fruit volume in the early stages. However, cherry shortages in other European countries such as Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey boosted demand and kept prices high throughout the campaign.

The Chinese market for Spanish cherries recently officially opened, but logistical conditions and associated risks have meant that the industry has not yet considered this destination a priority.

How was the Spanish cherry season this year?
It started with low volumes due to several factors: some frost, hail, and even some rain at the beginning. Then, in the early stages, which are from late April to May 10, there was not much volume. Prices were high, and of course, no one considered exporting outside of Spain. There were some exports, but the local market was good.

Later, the industry did consider exporting because volumes increased due to a brutal frost in other parts of Europe, such as in Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece, which left the European market short of supplies. This has kept prices good throughout the season, and no one has considered exporting to China. To export to China, you have to undergo cold processing for 15 days in a cold storage room, and even though you have a good price one or two days later, having to put your production in a cold storage room and wait 15 days plus the trip, and not knowing the exact price, no one has considered doing anything this year.

What was the average price this season?
In the first part of the season, prices were $5 or $6 for returns to the producer, and from then on, they remained close to $3 until the end of the season.

Compared to other years, what have been the average prices?
They’re averaging half a dollar and 60 cents above average. Initially, they were almost a dollar, and then half a euro above average throughout the season.

How was the quality and condition of the fruit?
In the first part of the season, it was very difficult to achieve quality, so there wasn’t any high-quality fruit. And from then on, we’ve had a year in which it’s been very difficult to achieve high firmness levels. We know that at the end of the season, it was due to excessive heat, but we’ve done well in terms of size and production. We’ve also done well in terms of brix degrees, and in firmness, we’ve been a little below normal, although it hasn’t been a major problem.

What was the volume this season?
At the beginning of the season, we had about a 30% drop, and since then, I don’t think there has been any decline, and the volumes have remained the same.

What do you think were the main varieties?
There have been no changes in varieties compared to last year. Yes, there’s an increase, which represents a small part of the total, but it’s very significant because the market is filling up a bit at the end of April and the beginning of May, as there are more cherries available.

What were the main challenges this season?
We’ve faced very strong heat waves at the end of the season, but they’re becoming more frequent. This year, we’ve already had three heat waves above 41 to 45 degrees Celsius in places where nothing like this had ever happened before.

I think the main challenge will be how to store the trees post-harvest, and we’ll have to put up some shade and netting.

What prospects do you see for the opening of the Chinese market?
I know the news was very striking, but I haven’t seen much interest in Spain in starting to export to China, because for us it means storing the cherries, having to undergo a 15-day cold treatment, and we don’t have the capacity for cold storage, nor do producers yet have the patience to conquer the Chinese market. That is to say, while we can sell in one, two, or three days in Spain or Europe, very few people consider having to store it for 15 days plus the trip, which poses a risk.

It will be another matter if we have a saturation year, but that doesn’t guarantee us a good price in China, given that when Chile produces, they produce alone, but when we produce, the United States, Turkey, and Central Europe are also there, and China produces more and more cherries.

What is your projection for crop growth in the coming years?
I think the Chinese market could be an alternative for extra-late producers. I also see large companies investing in extra-late varieties and locations, which could be an alternative for us, but that will be in 5 or 6 years’ time.

For extra-early cherries, Spain is also increasing. We will continue to have a very good space in the local and European markets, so we won’t have to think about other destinations.

Source: Portal Frutícola