European supplier Total Cherry has struck a deal with Canadian variety management rights firm Okanagan Plant Improvement Corp for the licence and production of  the Staccato cherry in the U.K. and Ireland.

The dark-red late producing cherry is renowned for its sweet taste and was discovered by reachers at the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Summerland, British Columbia.

U.K.-based Total Cherry director John Clark, said he was delighted to have reached an agreement with Okanagan.

"We look forward to the complete roll out of the agreement and being able to give growers and consumers the latest producing cherry that can be grown in the U.K."

Okanagan Plant Improvement Corp chief executive officer John Kingsmill, said his company was pleased to be partnering with Total Cherry which he described as a "preeminent" fresh produce supplier.

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