Western Cape cherry farms bloom as overseas markets demand more
Cherries use about half of the water required per hectare to irrigate than apples, which is important in the drought-stricken Cape
Cherries are less thirsty than apples‚ and are proving to be popular with markets overseas — helping our under-pressure agricultural economy.The primary market for locally produced cherries is the UK‚ with Hong Kong‚ the Netherlands and Malaysia forming the remainder of the top four export markets‚ provincial economic opportunities minister Alan Winde said on Monday.Once a very small crop in the Western Cape‚ cherries have more than quadrupled their export market share over the last four years‚ and continue to show excellent potential as an alternative crop‚ he said.The Western Cape government has to date invested nearly R7m in the development of alternative crops such as berries‚ cherries‚ fynbos‚ pomegranates and honeybush. These are smaller‚ export-oriented crops with high market-value‚ and greater potential for job creation‚ the province believes.Cherries use about half of the water required per hectare to irrigate than apples.The export value of cherries from SA has increased e...
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