Why Are Cherries So Expensive?
Why are cherries so expensive? Cherries are not only delicious but also a very popular fruit. However, unlike other fruits, they do not typically cost less when they’re in the season. Cherries can be expensive throughout the year even if you’re lucky enough to find them out in the market place. There are a variety of reasons behind the cost.
The reason that cherries are costly is because they’re a short-season crop. In the USA sweet cherries can only be grown within California, Oregon, Washington and in the regions where the season lasts for just about three or four months. This leads to a greater demand because people know that they won’t have cherries for long, and they want to purchase fresh, in-season cherries as soon as they are available.
The combination of this shorter growing season, and the geographical limitations on the areas where cherries can be produced (which can result in more expensive production costs since they must be transported across the country) allows the growers of cherries to charge a more expensive cost.
It turns out there are a variety of reasons for this and I’d like to find them out for you.
Why are cherries so expensive?
Cherries are costly because they’re a seasonal crop and, while they’re being sold, consumers want lots of cherries. It’s also true that an enormous portion of the cherry crop is consumed by birds before they are even picked.
The short answer is that there are not enough cherries around. As with all crops the cherries are also weather-sensitive. An unlucky weather event could mean a poor yield, or extremely boring cherries that are unable to sell, or very few cherries at all.
Remember it’s fresh, not frozen, and I am not making a distinction between sweet and tart cherries. Now let’s take a more in-depth look at why cherries fetch such a steep price.
Cherries are a short-season crop
First of all, cherries are a crop that grows in summer. Because America is spread from warmer regions to colder ones Southern zones are the first to bloom and produce fruit. The result is that the cherries are available from in the latter part of April right to August. Their peak occurs in mid-July They’re also the sweetest.
But even a clever harvesting strategy like this can only take you to a certain extent. Apart from the summer season it’s impossible to find cherries in their natural form. From the fall until spring, they are only in frozen or canned form. You may find imported Turkish cherries however, but not during the winter months.
There is a great demand for fresh cherries
As cherries are delicious and fresh, when they’re on the shelves, they’re highly sought-after. This is a common occurrence for all produce and even vegetables. Check out asparagus, for instance.
If spring is in the air, it is possible to get your hands on a lot of asparagus. Fresh, raw asparagus clumps on the shelves of produce. At the beginning of spring they’re gone, and the cost doubles, and sometimes triples.
Cherries are similar to strawberries. They also spoil quickly (not as easily as strawberries, however) and hence it is essential that they be sold near to the farms, or shipped quickly to supermarkets across the nation. This is an additional cost that you may not have seen.
Birds are a major problem for farms that grow cherries
Pests are commonplace for each and every crop. That’s a fact. When your crop is producing the first fruit (or vegetables) pests will arrive from all directions and feast on the work of your hands. The most infamous culprits are crows because they eat the seeds that you plant. There are no crops.
The cherries are directly from the same plant each year, and no seeds of planting go missing. However, these seeds (pits) that are found in the fresh fruits are usually taken right off the tree. What kind of birds? There are numerous birds that can consume fruit. The most popular species are house finches, mockingbirds Eastern bluebirds blue jays, American Robins, to name just several.
That means that for farmers who sell cherries they will need to increase prices to cover the loss.
Many cherry are imported from Turkey
There are many cherries being imported into America and all the way from Turkey. This can affect the price of domestic cherries, since American cherries appear to be more expensive in comparison with Turkish cherries. At the very least, they are higher than normal.
It’s not that this is the sole reason that cherries are expensive in any way. It’s just part of the larger picture and could affect the perception of price by consumers. Let’s look at this a bit more.
Cherry crops are subsidized in Turkey. A farmer selling cherries sells the cherries to middlemen as well as supermarkets, who will then offer them in America. After all those additional cost for transport, taxes and price markups these imported Turkish cherries are less expensive than the domestic American cherries.
This is a nagging issue for many cherry farmers and the problem is active. If you’re wondering about what’s the issue regarding subsidized crops, it generally implies that the government is coming to help farmers. It doesn’t matter if it comes in the form of loans, grants or even free land for the cultivation of the crop, or simply helping to cover a portion of cost. With such assistance, it becomes a lot easier for the farmer to pay back the loan.
The consumer is able to pay less because the farmers (and in turn, the middlemen) do not have to bump prices to make an income.
And , yes, America does have subsidized industries and crops. However, cherries aren’t included on that list. Soybeans, corn, (for oil) as well as beef rank in the top 10 and will be in stock.
Why are Rainier cherries so costly?
Rainier cherries are costly since they’re just a tiny part of the cherry harvest and are the sweetest. They’re the category of premium. They are able to charge more because they are a premium item.
How can you get the most of your cherries?
What do you need to do to help your cherries last? In addition to storing them stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks in a sealed container.
There are a few of things to consider, apart from making foods based on cherries. Let us explain what we mean by.
Can or freeze your cherries?
It is possible to make canned or frozen cherries. It is necessary pit them in a time-consuming and laborious process. We recommend buying a pitter for your cherry. It’s pretty quick and two people could accomplish the task in just several tons of cherry.
Then , you boil the cherries in sugar and water Then, you can freeze the cherries together with the juice. Then, you can put the raw cherries into tiny Ziploc bags. Around half a pound per bag is enough to are aware of the amount inside each bag.
Make jam with cherries
You can create your own cherry jam. It is also necessary for the cherries to be pitted and you’ll need sugar, and also pectin. Pectin is a naturally occurring substance that is found in all fruit, and helps in the formation of that jelly-like bond. Apples contain the highest amount of pectin.
If your cherries do not contain enough pectin, you may get jam that is too liquid. If you’re happy with that and you’re happy, then that’s great. If not, buy some powdered pectin to add to the jam while it is cooking. There’s a straightforward and simple recipe for making cherry jam right here.
You’ve now got your own homemade cherry jam! You can also freeze cherries or canned cherries whatever you prefer. You can make all three depending on what you prefer.
If you have any other food related questions, make sure to read the posts below. We’re always adding new food information for you to help make the process is much simpler.
Related questions
Are cherries great for you?
They are low on calories, and full of vitamins, fiber minerals, nutrients as well as other healthy ingredients. There are vitamins C A, C and K. Each long-stemmed berry contains potassium magnesium, calcium, and potassium as well. They also contain antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and the vital nutrient choline.
Why are red cherries so expensive?
Cherries are a fruit that grows in the short season. … Because of the huge demand, and with the increasing and manufacturing costs involved in the process of bringing the cherries to market, they’re in a position to charge a higher cost for cherries as consumers will continue to purchase the cherries.
Do they make use of helicopters to dry the cherries?
The reason is straightforward The reason is simple: during the final of three or four weeks prior to harvest, the cherries are vulnerable to being damaged by rain. … In order to safeguard from damage to the cherry, fruit growers contract helicopter pilots to guard in the vicinity with their helicopters. If it rains they ask the pilots to fly at a low speed in the trees.
Can you drink water after eating cherries?
If you’re thirsty, you could drink water after having eaten cherries. There could be a rumbling inside your stomach at the most. If you’ve had an excessive quantity of cherries, or an uneasy stomach, it could be due to the acid found inside the fruits.
Can you purchase cherries out of season?
Sweet cherries, such as the renowned Bing as well as the Rainier varieties can be found from May through August. The tart or sours cherries have a shorter growing season and are usually available for a couple of weeks generally in between June and July in areas that are warmer than normal and as late as the end of July and August in regions with colder temperatures.
How do you pick cherries fast from the trees?
Take the berry gently between your thumb and fingers and gently pull it.
If it’s ripe it will be able to easily fall out of your hands with the stem still attached.
Repeat the process with two hands, until every hand hand holds three or four cherries.
Which cherries are healthiest?
The most important ingredient in an optimum healthful cherry is Montmorency. Recent research suggests that Montmorency tart cherries’ health benefits stem from its unique qualities that which make their nutritional profile difficult to match. Tart cherries are an excellent whole fruit that is rich in potassium, fiber beta carotene, as well as antioxidants.
Do cherries cause any adverse effects?
Overall, there aren’t much adverse effects or health risks related to the consumption of cherries. However, it is important to consult a doctor or a registered dietitian if there’s a food that causes you stomach pain or any other type or GI irritation.
Do cherries contain lots of sugar?
But, in the serving of cherries that are fresh there’s nearly 20g of sugar. Also, cherries have numerous benefits for health from antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. If you eat the entire fruit, it would contain the equivalent of 46g of sugar, which is more sugar than the majority of doughnuts!
How many cherries are in 2 pounds?
One pound of sour, fresh cherry pits and stems is 2.5 to three cups or about 80 cherries. When you take out the pits, you’ll have around 2.5 cups of sweet cherries. There’s a possibility of obtaining 1.5 Cups of cherries from one pound of cherries that are sour.
What should you look for when purchasing cherries?
It’s recommended to buy cherries that still have their stems attached. This keeps them fresher for longer. Stems should have green color.
Cherries should be an intense dark shade of red.
Cherries should be smooth and shiny without being swollen or creased.
Sour cherries are more delicate and have a more delicate texture, and tend to be more delicate.
What causes double cherries?
Doubled cherries, typically treated as culls occur after the flowers get damaged by heat in summer. The buds of the next year’s crop are beginning to develop the excessive heat may make the ovule double and result in a double cherry , or spur, in which one side is removed.
What is the ideal month for cherry picking?
The period from mid-to-late May is the time when the cherry picking season typically starts for cherries. It according to the season and the year the season can run as late as July (although the majority seems to close in mid-June when the trees are trimmed).
Where do the cherries come from today?
North America. Within the United States, most sweet cherries are planted throughout Washington, California, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Some of the most popular sweet cherry cultivars are Bing, Ulster, Rainier, Brooks, Tulare, King and Sweetheart.
How long will the season for cherries last?
The brief California cherry season begins the middle of April, and generally lasts through the beginning of June. As one of the most commercially grown fruits the cherries are known to be the first trees to bloom and also the first to harvest every year.
Can cherries cause illness?
You may suffer from severe allergy after eating cherries and experience acute digestive symptoms following the consumption of the fruit. These symptoms include stomach cramps, stomach pain and vomiting.
Can eating cherries cause bloating and gas? Apricots, apples cherry, the plums, peaches, and pears and prunes are known for their ability to cause excessive gas. Pear juice, apple juice and fruit drinks can also cause gastric irritation. The reason for this is because the fruit (like wheat) has fructose in it.
Wrapping up
So, why are cherries so expensive? Well, I have already answered that question in detail. Cherries are so delightful to eat and t is so versatile that you can make use of it in smoothies, cakes and dessert. This is why, even if they are expensive, people love to buy them as and when necessary, especially during Christmas and other celebrations.
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