Growing cherry harvest predicted in France by 2025

The current forecast is for 7,200 hectares of cultivated area, 2% less than last year and 4% below the average of the last five years. However, Agreste stresses that since cherries are a particularly sensitive crop, the final results could still vary significantly depending on weather and plant health conditions. The positive outlook is particularly significant in light of the fact that crop failures are likely this year in the two largest cherry-producing countries on the continent, Spain and Turkey.

The largest yield increase is expected in the Occitanie region, where a 19% increase compared to last year is likely, at 8.1 thousand tonnes (of which 6.6 thousand tonnes are fresh market). In the Roussillon region, a significant increase is expected after last year’s drought, while in the Garonne valley, due to the favorable spring weather, no frost damage is expected for early varieties. Although flowering started later than usual, its quality was adequate.

In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, flowering was one week later than last year, but the weather remained favorable, so despite a 4% decrease in area, a 5% increase in yield is expected, at 11.5 thousand tonnes (of which 10.9 thousand tonnes are fresh market). In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, following the abundant flowering, a harvest of 11.4 thousand tons is predicted, similar to last year, divided equally between fresh market and industrial use.