Australia’s cherry exports continue to rise

Australia’s cherry crop is expected to expand in 2019/20, with all exports expanding proportionately. The rise in production is due to the continued expansion of production area. The total crop is expected to reach 18,000 tons in 2019/20, up 7% from 2018/19. The significant expansion over the past three years is largely due to the opening of several key Asian markets. Cherry exports are set to reach a record 6,000 tons in MY 2019/20, up 20% from 2018/19. Half of all exports go to Hong Kong and China.

Tasmania is the largest cherry production area (25%). The season starts in October and ends in January. The drought in parts of Australia affected some growing areas, but Tasmania escaped unscathed.