Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam remained the key export destinations for the 2025/26 season
Tasmanian cherry exports were worth close to A$70mn in 2025/26, according to official trade data, setting a new record.
The state exported 2,740 tonnes of fruit over the season, up by 31 per cent on last year and just below the highest on record.
Fruit Growers Tasmania held its annual cherry export debrief on 14 April to discuss the results with growers and members.
Although it was a challenging start to the season for growers with a cool spring and early summer leading to late fruit ripening, this also resulted in a later harvest and end to the season, coinciding with the late Lunar New Year.
Peter Cornish, CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania said the stars had aligned for many Tasmanian cherry growers this season.
“Not only did Tasmania’s late season work in well with the late Lunar New Year period, but the fruit quality was also excellent,” he said. “Our southern hemisphere competitors struggled to put cherries into the Asian market in February leading to less competition overall.
“What was particularly pleasing was that both volume and unit pricing increased this season, showing that Tasmania’s exceptional quality continues to be rewarded in export markets.”
Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam remained the key export destinations for Tasmanian cherries, receiving more than 70 per cent of the states total export volume. However, with more than 18 regions receiving cherries, market diversification continues to be a focus for the industry.
Hong Kong regained the number one destination for Tasmanian cherries with trade to China growing 168 per cent in the year.
During the season Fruit Growers Tasmania, supported by the Tasmanian Government, led and assisted with a range of marketing activities promoting Tasmanian grown cherries. This included season launch events in Hong Kong and Taiwan, an inward buyer event which welcomed 17 international buyers to visit all regions of Tasmania and a social media campaign targeting the communities in Australia that celebrate Lunar New Year.
“The social media campaign was aimed at supporting domestic sales after the Christmas period when consumption traditionally tends to drop off despite much of the best cherries still being available,” Cornish explained. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that this year’s cherry sales were very strong in the domestic market during January and into February, with the campaign receiving very positive feedback.”
Some 60 per cent of all Tasmanian cherries are sold within Australia.
Nic Hansen, owner of Tasmanian Cherries and president of the Fruit Growers Tasmania said he was delighted with the results.
“I’m delighted with the results from our cherry export season, which are nothing short of what our dedicated growers deserve. So often events take place beyond their control which have a detrimental impact on profitability, the current fuel crisis being a case in point,” he said.
“Overall, the fact that Tasmanian cherries represented 61 per cent of the value of national cherry exports underlines the strength of the Tasmanian industry. It is an excellent result and a much needed boost to Tasmanian cherry growers as we continue to focus on how to remain competitive in this high cost pressure environment.”
