B.C. Cherries had a record year when it comes to international exports.
British Columbia's Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, who is also the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, announced the yearly industry statistics on Wednesday.
In 2015, B.C. cherry exports increased by 56 per cent (or 13,600 metric tonnes of cherries). That increase means the value rose by 70 per cent to $91.7 million.
There was also a rise in sour cherry exports from $2.7 million in 2014 to $11.2 million in 2015.
"Focusing on high-value B.C. products like late-season cherries is key to growing the B.C. government's agrifood sector to a $15-billion-a-year industry by 2020,” said Letnick, in a statement.
In 2014, Letnick travelled to china to represent B.C. cherries on the international stage.
“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,” he said. "We are going to build on this momentum."
“Thanks to the close working relationship with our provincial cherry industry, we look forward to exploring new opportunities with Pacific Rim countries that recently signed the Trans Pacific Partnership.”
As it turns out, cherries aren’t just a local favourite.
"British Columbians have always known about this tasty, sweet fruit from the Okanagan. The secret is out,” continued Letnick. “Together we want to share B.C. cherries with the world."
