Despite the bad weather, it's busy on Aart Blom's D'n Kerkewaerdt orchard. This plot is right next to an A15 highway offramp in the Netherlands. The sales point is, of course, adhering to the Dutch 1.5m rule. That's why, on weekends, the orchard provides a drive-thru when people can buy cherries too. Several rows of the orchards have now been picked clean by visitors.
"We're going to pick the Samba and Vanda this week."
Aart's, however, skipping his traditional Cherry Open Days. He usually organizes this for the first week in July. It's often a party, with people being driven through the orchard on a little train. And this year would've been the fifth edition.
High demand for limited supply of cherries
When it comes to the harvested cherries, Aart sees there's a lot of market demand for Dutch cherries. But current supplies are limited. "The frost at the beginning of the year resulted in fewer cherries on the trees," says Aart. "This year, we'll have to make do with 80% of what we usually pick in our orchards. That's not bad when you consider Belgium."
"There, they can only harvest half the cherries. Fewer cherries on the tree does have an advantage, however. The cherries are bigger and have excellent quality. There's still a high demand for Dutch cherries too. So, prices are high, up to €1,50/kg more than last year. We have an advantage over other countries."
Fewer, but larger, cherries on the tree.
Extending the season
Most of Aart's cherry orchard is made up of the Regina and Kordia varieties. This week he'll begin picking the first Sambas and Vandas for the market. Blom refers to a few plots close by. There, he's busy with new varieties. "We can only sell Dutch cherries for about six to seven weeks a year. But, in the future, we hope to extend that to three months."
"We want to add several early varieties like the Sweet Arianna. We're currently busy planting these. Then, there's the last one through the gate, aptly named Final. With three months, you can make it through the cherry season. You can also then bring the cost price of, for example, advanced sorting machines, down," Aart says.
Early cherry orchards that will be in production in a few years
Aart keeps busy with the fruit experience park too. “That has to be a true promotion for the region's fruit. We are, for example, busy extending the terrace. It'll reach the orchard, which will add to the experience. As far as I'm concerned, busloads of tourists can come and pick our cherries."
For the busy weekends, a drive-thru's been opened in addition to the store.
For more information:
www.fruitpartnersblom.nl