South Australian cherry growers suffered their worst harvest in 50 years due to pre-Christmas storms, losing up to 70 per cent of their crop. Fruit Producers SA managing director Grant Piggott explained that three storms have hit cherry producing areas, with the most recent one hitting when the cherries were ripe, causing significant losses.
The Adelaide Hills experienced double the average December rainfall in just five days, making it the worst situation in 50 years according to long-time industry insiders. Farm staff had to remove hundreds of tonnes of storm-damaged cherries, causing a major crisis in the industry.
In the days leading up to Christmas, cherry prices reached $50 per kilo due to the shortage caused by the storms. However, according to Piggott, the situation 'improved' after the storms thanks to new sorting methods. Fruit Producers SA has invested in grading equipment that uses a camera to select high quality cherries, increasing the quantity of fruit on the market and reducing waste.
Despite this, some growers, such as Fiona Hall of New South Wales, had to 'abandon' entire crops because of the damage they suffered. Rains at the wrong time filled the cherries with water, causing the skin to split and making the crop unfit for consumption.
However, there is one positive note: the cherry harvest in Tasmania went well, with abundant quantities of high quality fruit compared to the previous year. This is a relief for the industry, offering an alternative supply at a time when the rest of the country is facing serious problems due to storms and rains.
Read the full article: The Guardian
07 Mar 2025
"There are other factors besides the hours of cold weather," said Gardner, owner of Zaiger Genetics in Modesto, California, known for breeding early varieties of stone fruit, sweet cherries and apples.
24 Dec 2024
As this year comes to a close, the Cherry Times team would like to extend a warm thank you to all our readers, who continue to enthusiastically support our editorial journey dedicated to the wonderful world of cherries and their supply chain.
26 Mar 2026
A study in Puglia explores how grafting affects Prunus mahaleb metabolism, revealing differences in sugars, acids, and bioactive compounds between grafted and ungrafted plants, with key implications for fruit quality, nutraceutical value, and rootstock use.
26 Mar 2026
USDA proposes new marketing rules for Washington sweet cherries: higher minimum size requirements, exceptions for Rainier and Royal Anne, updated packaging categories, and more aligned standards to support grower profitability and access to crop insurance.
