9/1/2012

Where Cherries Come From (2010)

Cherries have a very short growing season and can grow in most temperate latitudes. The peak season for cherries is in the summer. In Australia, they are usually at their peak in late December, in southern Europe in June, in North America in June, in south British Columbia (Canada) in July to mid August, and in the UK in mid July. In many parts of North America, they are among the first tree fruits to ripen.
 
In Orange, NSW - A cool climate cherry region, the season begins in mid November and finishes towards the end of January. Kordia is an early variety which ripens during the beginning of December, Lapins peak near the end of December, and Sweethearts appear slightly later.
 
Like most temperate-latitude trees, cherry seeds require exposure to cold in order to germinate (a mechanism the tree evolved to prevent germination during the autumn which would then result in the seedling being killed by winter temperatures). The pits are planted in the autumn (after first being chilled) and seedlings emerge in the spring. A cherry tree will take 3-4 years to produce its first crop of fruit and 7 years to attain full maturity. Because of the cold-weather requirement, none of the Prunus family can grow in tropical climates.



Cherry Production By Country




 

Country

Metric Tons

% Of World


1

Turkey

417,905

21.40%


2

United States

284,130

14.55%


3

Iran

255,500

13.08%


4

Italy

115,476

5.91%


5

Spain

80,300

4.11%


6

Uzbekistan

75,000

3.84%


7

Ukraine

73,000

3.74%


8

Romania

70,290

3.60%


9

Russia

66,700

3.42%


10

Chile

59,000

3.02%


11

Syrian Arab Republic

58,100

2.97%


12

France

45,905

2.35%


13

Austria

39,960

2.05%


14

Lebanon

38,700

1.98%


15

Greece

38,200

1.96%


16

Poland

35,462

1.82%


17

Germany

30,831

1.58%


18

China

28,500

1.46%


19

Bulgaria

24,951

1.28%


20

Serbia

22,201

1.14%


World

1,953,117


 



**Source: FAO. Prepared By; Rob Cook