Spanish cherry growers have sold 70% more picota cherries in the UK this season than they did in 2010.

According to estimates from the Cereza de Jerte Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council, out of an export total of 7,000 tonnes, a record-breaking 2,500 tonnes of picota cherries were sold to the UK. This compares to 1,473 tonnes last year.

The Council's technical director, Pilar Díaz Flores, said more British shoppers now understood the difference between picota and other cherries and UK retailers were increasingly interested in stocking the fruit. "Picota has become established in the UK, and we ­believe it will continue to grow over the coming year," she added.

Picota cherries typically have a season of just seven weeks, but favourable weather this year meant the season was longer, with some UK mults stocking the cherries up to the second week of August.