Central Otago orchardists are predicting a strong cherry and berry season despite October’s cold snap, with picking expected to start later this month.

The Labour Weekend storm that swept through the South Island arrived almost exactly a year after last season’s cold front, but growers say warm weather since then has helped crops recover.

Leaning Rock Cherries owner Pete Bennie said the season was shaping up well, with early varieties ready for picking from November 25 on the Alexandra orchard.

Cromwell grower Michael Jones said cooler weather had delayed fruit development slightly, but Burlatt cherries would be available at local stalls by early December.

“It generally ramps up mid-December which meets the Christmas demand,” he said.

Michael added that an early export variety would likely be harvested in the first week of December.

Gourmet Summerfruit manager Matt Tyrrell, who oversees 32ha of cherry blocks in Roxburgh East and 16ha of blueberries, said recent warm days had boosted fruit growth.

“The crop looks amazing,” Matt said.

He explained that while heavy winds and cold weather affected flowering earlier in the season, additional beehives were brought in to improve pollination. The orchard is now in the “shed” period, when

trees naturally drop excess fruit.

“We’ll start to apply plenty of fertiliser and work hard to keep the crop healthy and minimise stress on the trees,” he said.

Despite setbacks, the season has bounced back quickly following the October 28 snowstorm. Warm weather since has helped restore growth rates, bringing harvest timelines back in line with last year.

Gourmet Summerfruit expects to begin harvesting its later cherry varieties in early January, with blueberries ready for picking from around December 18.

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