The Swiss Fruit Association counts on about 2,200 metric tons of sweet cherries, which is roughly the same amount as the previous year. Large cherries (larger than 24mm in diameter) will be more than 80% of the harvest. The first cherries will be harvested in mid June and the main harvest takes place in July.
A prediction at the current moment is very difficult states Hansruedi Wirz, president of the Basel Fruit Center. The reason for the uncertainty is the persistently wet and cold weather, and the consequences for the fruit is difficult to predict. According to Wirz the fruit trees started growing early due to the mild winter, but the cold spring has delayed the development. The blossoming starts in April and lasts until early May. And at the end of April the cold arctic air caused several cold nights. The sector will publish a new estimate in the second half of June.
The prediction of production cherries lies at 650 metric tons (2015: 486 metric tons). This is not sufficient to meet the demand. The previous year producers had to use stored cherries because of the unexpectedly small harvest. And unlike 2015, producers, processors and trade could agree again on a target price. The federal government agreed on a commodity price balance of 43 cent per kg.
The harvest of cherries for cherry brandy is estimated at 2,500 metric tons. Due to the weather the amount of diseased plants is currently large, emphasizes Wirz. Unmaintained trees are in a catastrophic state. They especially suffer form shot hole disease and Monilinia. These cherries mainly grow on the old-fashioned taller fruit trees. These trees are not protected from rain and hail, as is the case in the lower orchards cherry trees.
