In 2021, the harvests were smaller due to the frost (lower than 15,000 tons). This year, the French cherry production should reach 35,000 tons on average, according to the PDO Cherries of France.
A level of production recovered thanks to the weather, but especially thanks to the restructuring of the sector. “Since 2019, we have been working hard on a plan to restructure the sector. The new specifications, always more rigorous, have been set up along three axes, for more sustainable orchards. This involves restructuring the orchards, installing anti-insect nets, testing the methods to secure the productions and obtaining the High Environmental Value certification for French cherries,” explains Alexandra Lacoste, director of the PDO Cherries of France.
With 3,200 producers in France, the main producing areas are the PACA region (38%, 2,700 ha), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (32%, 2,500 ha) and Occitania (20%, 1,700 ha).
For more information:
AOP Cerises de France
cerises-de-france.fr