cherry

" Chinese cherries, mostly sweet varieties, are mainly planted along the coastal areas of Shandong and Liaoning, where temperature and moisture are best suited for the crop. Cherry production is forecast up 30 percent to 116,500 MT in 2006. Production is up as a result of high prices around 2000 which made increased plantings attractive to farmers. While 2005 prices were down from the previous year, returns are still attractive and new plantings are forecast to expand production area by 10 percent to 44,500 hectares in 2006. In 2005, production is estimated up 40 percent to 89,600 MT from 64,000 MT in the previous year and the acreage is estimated up 15 percent to 40,500 hectares from 35,305 hectares in 2004. Cherries are a luxury product in China, and previously low production meant prices were high and consumption was very low. High prices led to expanded acreage, especially in the early 2000. Prices have been declining recently as a result of production increase which has increased consumption as more Chinese can afford the fruit. Cherry consumption is forecast up 30 percent to 116,280 MT in 2006. Consumption in 2005 is estimated up nearly 40 percent to 89,525 MT from 64,387 MT in the previous year."