In W19 in the cherry landscape, in the Jerte Valley in Spain, the 2023 cherry campaign started with higher yields than in 2022, with cherry quality being high due to the warm climate and the absence of rainfall. The early varieties have slightly lower calibers due to their rapid maturation. Initial forecasts pointed to a late cherry harvest given the delay in flowering, but high temperatures during spring have finally advanced the harvest in the Jerte Valley, which in 2023 comes with more volumes. The second-degree cooperative estimates 2023 cherry production to amount to 19M kg, up compared to the 17M kg harvested in the 2022 season, due to higher yields as a result of better curdling. Even though there are new plantations, the cultivation area remains relatively stable, with continuous varietal reconversions aimed at satisfying consumer needs and improving productivity. Bulgarian farmers warn that the cherry harvest in the southernmost part of the country is expected to be delayed by at least two weeks in 2023. This is due to the occurrence of late spring frosts that affected about 30-40% of cherry trees as well as brown rot developments. Also, the rains of the last few days are expected to compromise the Bulgarian cherry harvest further. Bulgarian wholesale cherry producers expect at least USD 1.65/kg when they hit the market. The first Bulgarian cherries produced in greenhouses are already on the market at USD 13.79/kg. Despite the high price, greenhouse cherries did well during the holidays.
The Turkish 2023 cherry season has promising potential in terms of crop quality, high volume, and the long availability period in the production areas across Turkey. This is attributed to the good blossom period, with no frost and rain damage at a significant scale, and the good setting of fruit in the orchards. It is expected that, in W21, the first Turkish cherry road shipment to Europe will start, as well as air deliveries to Gulf and East Asian countries. The Turkish 2023 season is anticipated to continue until W32 with challenges expected such as the increase in the cost of packaging materials and labor due to an uncurbed inflation issue in the country over the past couple of years. Lastly, Chinese Dalian cherry production in 2023 is slightly higher than in previous years, with the price remaining stable. The price of cherries that went on the Chinese market earlier during the Spring Festival was quite high, with the purchase price as high as USD 57.08/kg, but the quantity was very small. Most of the cherries were on the market from February to March, and the current purchase price is about USD 11.42-14.27/kg, which is a regular price. In recent years, the price, market acceptance, and profit of Dalian cherries have been relatively satisfactory, and the taste has been good. The Brix can reach 15-20 degrees. Therefore, cherries have been developed more, and the production volume has increased YoY.
