According to a news report by Cherry Times, Cherry Growers Australia recently held a webinar discussing the current Australian cherry season, which kicked off in late October with Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia leading the initial harvests. Picking has also now commenced at orchards in Victoria and Western Australia, while Tasmania’s cherry harvest is set to begin in late December with peak production expected in January.
According to Jessica Fearnley from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the season began with favorable weather in New South Wales, Victoria and other regions, creating excellent pollination conditions across all major production areas. Many early-ripening varieties have once again surpassed expectations, she went on to explain, and this year’s cherry exports from Australia are anticipated to perform exceptionally well.
From the 2020/21 to 2022/23 seasons, Australia’s cherry production faced a steady decline due to adverse weather conditions. However, a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates a strong start for the 2024/25 season, with the data suggesting that Australia’s cherry production will increase by 17% compared with the five-year average, reaching 20,000 metric tons.
According to data from Hort Innovation, a grower-owned industry body that supports the Australian horticulture sector through research, development, marketing and trade initiatives, Australia produced approximately 15,000 metric tons of cherries in the 2022/23 season, with exports reaching nearly 3,000 metric tons. In the 2023/24 season, Australia cherries were particularly promoted in key markets such as China and Vietnam, with press events, e-commerce platforms and trade exhibitions used to enhance brand recognition. As a result, exports in the 2023/24 season rose significantly, increasing by 43% compared with the previous season. China and Vietnam remained the top export destinations, with exports to China witnessing a remarkable year-on-year growth of 143%.
The majority of cherry exports from mainland Australia originate from New South Wales and Victoria. As of the webinar date, 43 growers had registered to participate in exports for the 2024/25 season. In Tasmania, about half of the cherry crop is designated for export, with 36 growers signed up for exporting this season.
Image: Pixabay
This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.
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