Ricky Chong, Business Development Director for the Canadian producer and distributor World Fresh Exports, noted that the weather changes benefited growers in British Columbia (BC), the country’s main cherry-growing region, allowing them to harvest excellent quality fruit this season.
“We had a couple of spring frosts that actually benefited the crop,” he told. “We estimate a harvest equivalent to 70% of a normal year, and a lighter load generally means less stress for the trees. That usually translates into larger sizes, higher Brix levels, and better quality.”
The executive explained that cherry orchards located in southern Canada, near the border with Washington state, also experienced the spring cold waves that affected growers in the Yakima Valley in the northwestern United States in April.
According to the British Columbia Cherry Association (BCCA), the trees south of the border had a more advanced stage of bud development when the low temperatures occurred. This made them more vulnerable to the adverse conditions and resulted in significantly greater damage, reflected in a second season projection that was 12% lower than the industry’s initial estimate.
In contrast, frost damage on the Canadian side was minimal and helped to thin the fruit load enough to improve quality. Furthermore, with the return of normal weather conditions and rainfall before there was a risk of cracking or production losses, British Columbia growers have had a season without major setbacks.
“We are now seeing that the harvest is approximately six days ahead of the normal picking dates. We expect an excellent harvest and strong demand,” Chong stated.
“The harvest began on June 8 and will extend at least until August 25. New varieties will soon allow us to extend it into September,” he explained.
A very promising (though unofficial) estimate for 2026
As if that weren’t enough, the executive added that, with nearly 5 million 9-kilo boxes (approximately 45,000 metric tons), the 2026 British Columbia harvest would be one of the largest local growers have seen in recent years.
However, Chong clarified that this is an unofficial estimate. He explained that the Canadian cherry industry is known for keeping its figures confidential and does not publish production projections before the start of each season.
Even so, the numbers are encouraging and reflect the constant expansion of planted area, which, according to Chong, already exceeds 7,000 acres.
This projection also confirms the sector’s recovery after the severe frosts that affected the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys in 2024. That year, sales fell by nearly 68% compared to the previous year, reaching a record low of 7,695 tons, according to government data.
The 2025 season marked a strong rebound, with production more than tripling that of the previous year. According to the BCCA, the abundant harvest was a consequence of the trees’ rest period following the 2024 disaster, to the point that the industry faced difficulties in finding enough labor to harvest all the available fruit. This year, they say, the situation has returned to normal, with a more balanced campaign distributed throughout the season.
The Canadian cherry industry is currently undergoing a varietal renewal process, maintaining its commitment to locally developed cultivars from Summerland Varieties (SVC). Chong indicated that demand remains strong for all varieties, especially Kootenay, Skeena, Sentennial, and Staccato.
“New varieties, such as SVC’s Sansia and Safirah, are replacing traditional varieties like Santina, Lapins, and Sweetheart, offering larger MM sizes, higher Brix levels, firmer fruit, and improved stem strength,” he added.
The next frontier for canadian cherries
Although 70% to 80% of production is destined for export, Chong noted that Canadian growers are very secretive about the markets they supply.
“Our main markets are practically our best-kept secret; our competitors are listening,” he joked.
The executive explained that British Columbia growers have designed their agronomic practices to meet the demands of the world’s most stringent markets. This includes specialized phytosanitary programs, thinning to obtain larger fruit sizes, and harvesting only when the fruit reaches high Brix levels and the appropriate color.
“All of our fruit is produced under the Systems Approach, which means we can export to any market,” he stated.
That “any market” includes highly demanding destinations such as the European Union, China, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.
With a portfolio of premium clients, one of the few obstacles to further expanding Canadian exports is distance. Therefore, Chong explained that the industry’s focus is on opening new markets through improvements in packaging and logistics.
“This means reducing packaging volume and developing new formats that maintain the freshness and shelf life of cherries during long transit times to destinations as far away as Dubai and Jakarta, while preserving the cold chain at all times,” he concluded.
At the same time, the BCCA continues to promote domestic consumption. Until August 15, the association is celebrating Canadian Cherry Month, inviting consumers to participate in the “Flip for Canadian Cherries” campaign, which encourages them to turn over bags of cherries in supermarkets to check for the “Product of Canada” label printed on the bottom.
With a harvest as abundant as the one projected for 2026, the more cherry consumers there are, the better for the industry.
Source: Portal Frutícola
