The BC Tree Fruits Cooperative expects the 2016 campaign will be both early and with greater volumes, surpassing last year's amount by 1.5 million pounds.

In a release, the group said with a record of 12 million pounds estimated for the year, consumers would have an abundance of juicy and sweet cherries to enjoy over the warm summer months.

For the rest of the summer fruit coming from Okanagan orchards, BC Tree Fruits is estimating an increase in tonnage of approximately 20-25% across other commodities.

"Mother Nature has provided our growers with very warm spring days leading up to bloom resulting in another early start to the summer fruit season this year," said BC Tree Fruits marketing manager Chris Pollock.

"We expect to start harvesting early season varieties of BC Tree Fruits cherries in early June, with the fruit hitting retail shelves very soon after."

The primary market for BC Tree Fruits cherries remains Western Canada and the United States. The remainder is marketed and sold to key off-shore markets through the partnership with Sutherland S.A. Produce Inc.

Related story: Canada: Jealous Fruits to extend cherry deal with higher elevation groves

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