The 10-month wait for Tasmanian-grown cherries is finally over as these sour-sweet treats start to arrive in stores across the state, just in time for Christmas.
Following a string of recent long and sunny days that have provided “great growing conditions” for cherries, Fruit Growers of Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish believes this season’s crop could produce 25% more than the last.
“We are over a week earlier than last year and the great weather means our cherries stay on the tree longer, and will be bigger, darker and sweeter this year,” he said.
“Most growers will start harvesting at the start of the New Year, with January being our biggest production month, but we will continue harvesting through most of February as well.”
Cherries from Cherries Tasmania are the first to hit the shelves in the south, followed by Spreyton Fresh in the north-west and Somercotes in the Midlands next week.
Cornish expects exports to “really ramp up” in January, but says Reid Fruits in the Derwent Valley have already started exporting their specialty Japanese cherries.
“Last year 70% of Australia’s cherry exports were Tasmanian Grown. Tasmanian cherries are [regarded] as amongst the best in the world,” he said.
Tasmania’s fruit industry is set to employ 10,000 people and generate around $400 million in fruit production this season, which includes raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.
