Australia grapples with bad weather: up to 90% losses in the southern part of the country

13 Dec 2024
2140

Australians who were hoping to have cherries on their Christmas table may need to plan for an alternative fruit after some crops were devastated by extreme weather conditions during the growing season.

Farmers in Western Australia faced a hot, dry, and windy summer after enduring an unusually warm winter with minimal frosts.

The out-of-season weather conditions led to a significant reduction in harvests, with some orchards in Manjimup, about 300 km south of Perth, suffering losses of over 90%.

The disappointing outcome means it is unlikely that Western Australians will find locally sourced cherries available.

The president of the Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC), Arthur Wilson, stated that cherries are often a high-risk, high-reward crop.

Image 1.

Summer rains could cause fruit splitting, hailstorms could damage flowers, and warm winters could prevent adequate fruit development.

“Farmers are resilient and innovative,” said Wilson.

Farmers are expected to suffer significant losses and a reduction in seasonal jobs in the region due to the challenging weather conditions.

With many farmers financially impacted by this year’s poor harvest, Wilson encouraged those planning their Christmas food shopping list to continue supporting local products.

“It’s an incredibly challenging time for our producers, but we are committed to standing by their side, promoting sustainability, and supporting their efforts in the face of adversity,” he said.

“We encourage shoppers to support local farmers, wherever possible, in their food choices.”

Read the full article: news.com.au
Image: news.com.au


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

A collective project to combat Drosophila suzukii starts in France on the Monts du Lyonnais

Crop protection

14 Feb 2025

In the Parsada programme, financed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, several complementary levers have been identified. But these levers must be combined. It is not a question of applying isolated solutions, but of developing technical routes adapted to each situation.

Applications of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to reduce cracking

Crop protection

28 Jul 2023

The study conducted by the researchers of the Postharvest Research Group of Fruit and Vegetables (Orihuela, Spain) was to examine the effectiveness of preharvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments in reducing sweet cherry cracking during tree ripening and at harvest.

In evidenza

New cherry packing plant in Ñuble (Chile): Dole and Mañío join forces for global export

Markets

22 Apr 2025

Dole partners with Mañío to launch a state-of-the-art cherry packing facility in San Nicolás, Ñuble. A $12M+ investment aimed at boosting export capacity and entering new markets. The project will create up to 400 direct jobs in the region.

Fruit quality and cracking susceptibility in three sweet cherry cultivars

Quality

22 Apr 2025

A Romanian study analyzes the correlation between fruit quality and cracking in three sweet cherry cultivars: Special, Tentant, and Severin. The results highlight significant differences in weight, pH, color, °Brix, and cracking index, with implications for varietal selection.

Tag Popolari