The Tasmanian cherry industry recorded its largest ever yield and export tonnage for the 2012/2013 cherry season, according to their annual review held on 26 March.
The 2012/2013 cherry crop tonnage was up 70 per cent compared to last season, with an increase of 5,000 tonnes. This also represented a 60 per cent increase from the 2009/2010 season, when the last highest packed cherry crop was recorded.
A dry harvest, decent growing season and increased number of trees coming into production were cited as the primary reasons for the industry’s spectacular season.
Tasmanian cherry exports increased to 1,920 tonnes, 45 per cent of its marketable crop. This represented a 150 per cent increase from last season. The largest previous export crop was in 2009-2010, when Tasmania exported 1,150 tonnes of cherries.
The industry estimated that it had exported around 60 per cent of all Australian cherry exports, aided by an estimated 30 per cent decline in the exports of its competitor, Chile.
Taiwan and Hong Kong comprised an estimated 75 per cent of Tasmania’s export market, largely driven by Chinese New Year and general strong consumer demand.
Other key markets included Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the newly-accessed Chinese market. The industry expressed particular delight with Tasmania’s export of around 75 tonnes of cherries into China for this season given that Australia was only granted market access in early January.
Exports to Europe also recorded growth, a positive sign of recovery after several years of market decline.
The industry reported postively on the high quality of fruit this season, which growers and marketers stated allowed them to export their produce with confidence.
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