The Alexandra grower said the absence of frost and the early onset of Central Otago’s summer heat meant fruit matured much earlier than usual, pushing the season to run two weeks early.
The cherry season would end in mid-January when it would normally extend in to February.
Roberts said this summer was one of the earliest he has experience with the bulk of the cherries ready for market over Christmas and New Year.
Apricots, nectarines and peaches were also maturing early.
That caused a few challenges in ensuring there was enough fruit to supply the key Chinese New Year which was later this year, on February 16. It was on January 28 last year.
Roberts employs about 100 people, mostly foreign visitors, at the peak of the season on his 100ha orchard on which he grows cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums for local and export markets.
