The cherry harvest started on 15th November for Bite Riot, based in Orange, New South Wales.
"We had the perfect growing season until harvest in early December when we received 56mm of rain at Mudgee orchard and 111mm in Orange. This meant we lost the late varieties at Mudgee and some of Orange early varieties," said Fiona Hall from the company.
"We have had a medium size crop so sizes are bigger. We are just about to hit our peak season now - the brix has been low due to the rain but, as we head into the harvest in Orange, the next week looks great with warm weather which will bring it up to where we need them at 18+. Our harvest will run through to early January."
Bite Riot's main varieties are Lapin, Kordia, Regina and Samba.
"Prior to the rain we were looking at a medium crop, but this has been reduced due to a 50% crop loss. Some varieties completely escaped damage and some are 25-40% damaged. We will use the damaged cherries to make our 100% cherry juice," said Fiona.
For more information:
Fiona Hall
Bite Riot
Tel: +61 499 383 756
Email: [email protected]
www.biteriot.com.au