CherryAid

Since their heyday, the English cherry’s fortunes have seriously declined. Statistics show that before World War II, there were 30-40,000 acres of cherry orchards across England; by 2004 – a mere 70 years later – they covered only 960 acres. To give more precise figures for the extent of damage, Kent alone has lost 85% of its cherry orchards in the last 50 years; south Buckinghamshire orchards shrank by 39% in the 20 years between 1975 and 1995. 70-85% of Worcestershire’s orchards – cherries, apples, pears, etc – have been destroyed over the last 40-50 years.

Such devastating decline has its roots in a number of reasons. Traditional varieties can take years to reach harvesting maturity and therefore provide some financial return. It should be noted that it can cost up to £30,000 to establish a cherry orchard, taking into account all the precautions against disease, birds and the climate – not a project to take on lightly.  

Traditional varieties are also incredibly tall – this makes mechanised harvesting and netting (against pilfering birds) difficult – in fact, almost impossible. The supermarkets demand consistency of supply, which doesn’t take into account the inconsistency of the British climate to which cherries are highly susceptible. Unseasonal cold snaps or heavy rain can wipe out an entire harvest. Therefore they turn to foreign imports, which although cheaper and more consistent in supply, appearance and flavour, lack the delightful variations of hue and taste that make this one of our most wonderful summer fruits.