WASHINGTON: B.C. cherry exports are soaring thanks to new access to Asian markets. Sour cherry exports grew 300 per cent between 2014 and 2015, with China as our main trade partner, according to the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. Exports of fresh sweet cherries — mainly to the United States, China and Hong Kong — doubled between 2012 and 2015 to more than $80 million.
Much of that growth is a result of rising sales in China. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick attributed much of the increase to a successful federal trade mission in 2014 that culminated in a deal to allow unfettered access for B.C. cherries in China.
“As a direct result of our efforts, the export value of fresh, sweet cherries to China has more than doubled from 2014 to 2015, rising from $9.9 million to $24 million,” said Letnick.
Letnick said the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal recently signed by Canada will open new trade opportunities on the Pacific Rim. Under the TPP, B.C. will have the opportunity to target new markets in Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia.
