The cherry harvesting and marketing campaign has started in Lleida with a forecast of an increase in the harvest compared to the previous year. Producers in the area have started the tasks on dates similar to last year's after the early start of the apricot.
April's climatology registered high temperatures and abundant sun that have directly benefited the fruit's maturation. These conditions have fostered cherries of good size and firmness suitable for safe handling to the markets.
The risk of cracking marks the campaign
The product is extremely sensitive to water and requires avoiding rain to prevent cracking. This skin breakage occurs due to excess moisture that swells the fruit and damages it irreversibly.
Josep Maria Texidió, owner of the family business Teimo Fruit from Serós, analyzes the current situation of the sector.
"Time is key for quality and also for consumption" - Josep Maria Texidió, owner of Teimo Fruit
Production costs have skyrocketed from wages to fertilizers to diesel. Electricity and transport complete a list of expenses that pressure the profitability of agricultural holdings.
An increase in the harvest is foreseen that could partially offset the financial pressure on Lleida farmers.