Australian targets export of 40% of cherry crop by 2025

The initiative includes over 50 activities for building export capability among Australian cherry growers and minimising trade risks during supply chain disruptions. The programme will be led by Cherry Growers Australia, with input from industry partners.

Cherry Growers Australia’s chief operating officer, Andrea Magiafoglou, said: “Industry has set an ambitious target of exporting 40 per cent of production by 2025 and this dedicated export programme, with support being tailored to each region, will help us reach that. With many cherry growers being export ready, we are now in a position where we can build on our success to be an export-focussed industry.”

Just over 20 per cent of Australia’s total cherry crop was exported in 2020/21, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Key focus areas for the export programme will include emergency response planning, pest and disease management, and data and supply chain traceability. Training workshops and an export helpdesk will also be set up.