Kent farmer's innovation leads to abundant cherry harvest

Tom Hulme, the managing director of AC Hulme growers in Kent, mentioned that a combination of innovation and weather has led to a significant increase in cherry production.

Hulme stated that the cherry harvest at his farm has doubled over the past five years due to advancements in the industry. This year, the cherry season is expected to last for 10 weeks, twice as long as it was five years ago. The use of dwarf root stock grafted onto new tree varieties has revolutionized the cherry industry in the country.

New cherry varieties better suited to the British climate have been introduced to enhance quality and taste and extend the growing season. The farm has incorporated early season cherries like sweet aryana and grace star, as well as late season varieties, to prolong the growing period. Post-harvest air control and the use of polytunnels have been implemented to extend the shelf life of the fruit.

The favorable growing conditions this year, including a warm spring, have further supported the cherry harvest. Hulme expressed optimism about the upcoming season, expecting high-quality fruit due to the decent conditions.

Tesco reported that many UK farmers, including Hulme, anticipate their largest cherry yield in three years. British growers are projected to produce around 8,000 tonnes of cherries, a significant increase from previous years. Tesco attributed the bumper crop to the sunny spring weather.

Tesco plans to exclusively sell British cherries starting from early July, thanks to the improved quality and increased volume of the fruit. The retailer expects to meet the summer demand for cherries with solely British produce, as a result of the favorable growing conditions.