CANBERRA: As part of Cherry Growers Australia’s recent industry update, the organisation released figures showing that the volume of Australia’s cherry exports in 2015-16 had increased by 58 per cent in comparison with the previous financial year.
During the 2015-16 cherry season, there were 5589 tonnes exported, valued at $76.05 million and the unit values were $13.61/kg.
The largest markets were Hong Kong and China, which combined accounted for almost 55 per cent of the exported volume. Small volumes to the US and Canada also put these countries back on the export list.
Cherry Growers Australia chief executive Simon Boughey said the 2015-16 year had come and gone with excellent results across the country.
“This was mainly due to climatic events, it was dry, but overall it has been successful with domestic markets holding steady, with an increase in exports by 58 per cent to 5600 tonnes from 3500 in 2014-15 and up $30 million to $77 million and into 30 countries,” Mr Boughey said.
“There should be a levied crop of just over 18,000 tonnes to be confirmed by the end of June.” A recently released Rabobank report backed up the industry’s promising outlook.
The report found cherry exports had continued to grow due to increased demand from China and favourable airfreight charges to Asian markets giving Australian cherries a competitive advantage over other southern hemisphere exporters.
“Tasmania has fruit fly free status, unlike the rest of Australia, which facilitates its airfreight market access to China. Tasmanian cherries earn a premium price,” the report said.
“The average export unit value of Tasmanian cherries was $17.34 a kilogram in 2014-15, compared with $11.46 a kilogram for cherries from other states and territories.”
