Cherry crop expected to double in central Otago

Central Otago's export cherry crop is expected to more than double this year to about 1600 tonnes, Molyneux Orchards general manager Earnscy Weaver says.

It would be twice the size of the 2002 crop, which itself set a record when 711 tonnes of cherries were sent overseas.

But this year, with the extra plantings and relatively good weather, the crop could double to 1500 or 1600 tonnes.

The strong US dollar could have a negative impact on exports but there were many other market influences that could affect trade, Mr Weaver said.

In the past five to seven years, a lot more cherry trees had been planted and there were more mature trees starting to fruit.

- NZPA