After last year’s disastrous three-day rain that all but wiped out hopes of a great cherry crop, local growers can be forgiven if they are nervous about a late cherry harvest that starts today.

But they have reason to be optimistic, consultant Duane Holder said on Tuesday.

“At the present time things are looking pretty good, in terms of both quality and value,” said Holder, who operates FarmQuest Consulting, through which he advises clients on orchard and crop care throughout the year.

While this year’s crop is only about 75 per cent of last year’s, it’s still a good quantity. The size of the cherries is good and sugar quantities are higher than last year, meaning varieties like Lapins will be bursting with flavor.

And a major competitor in the market has had its own challenges this year.

“The Washington crop is estimated to be about 12 million boxes — that’s down from 22 million last year,” Holder said. “That has a big impact on international prices.”

A July 29 date for the start of the harvest for most orchards is a little later than normal, but the same as last year.

“But then last year the rains came and the harvest was really hurt,” he said. “Last week’s rain caused almost no damage at all.”

Local packing facilities have been busy in the past few weeks getting equipment ready and hiring workers. The usual influx of migrant fruit pickers has begun and orchard owners will be busy managing the harvest, keeping a wary eye on the skies.

Forecasts at press time predict a 30 per cent possibility of showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday afternoons, but nothing that should have a negative impact on the harvest.