Greek Cherry Season Poised for Rebound After a Disappointing 2023

The Greek cherry season is shaping up to be significantly better than last year’s disastrous harvest, according to Onur Mustafa Ahmet, general manager of Greek cherry exporter YAKA. Favorable weather conditions have spared the crop from losses, boosting hopes for a higher yield and improved quality.

“The blossoms started in early April, and if the weather cooperates, we expect the season to start 7-10 days earlier than usual, around the beginning of May,” Ahmet states. ” It looks like 2024 could resemble the successful seasons of 2022 or 2020.”

YAKA is aiming to process 1500 tons of cherries this season, contingent on continued good weather. The company has invested in expanding its sorting and packing capacity, now capable of handling 50 tons of cherries daily. Ahmet observed a market shift towards smaller, closed packaging formats, prompting YAKA to adapt its operations.