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Cherries jubilee

It was a record-breaking year for B.C.'s cherry industry.

According to figures released by the province Wednesday, cherry exports in 2015 increased to 13,600 metric tonnes. That's an increase of more than 50 per cent over the previous year.

That translated into more than $91 million worth of cherries, a 70 per cent bump over 2014.

"The data also includes a significant rise in sour cherry exports from $2.7 million in 2014 to $11.2 million in 2015," said Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick in making the announcement.

Much of the increase is due to exports to China.

Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, led a delegation with B.C. cherry industry representatives on a federal trade mission to China in 2014.

"That led to full, unimpeded access for fresh cherries into 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.

"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."



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