On September 28, Cherry Growers Australia launched their season with a webinar covering various topics. Patrick Ulloa, the export development coordinator, discussed their successful participation at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, where Australian cherries gained substantial interest.
Ulloa classified markets into three categories: easy, moderate, and highly regulated. Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia fall into the easy category, with minimal requirements. Moderately regulated markets like Indonesia, the United States, and Vietnam have more regulations. Highly regulated markets, such as Korea, Taiwan, and China, demand strict compliance with numerous restrictions.
Regarding weather conditions, Ulloa mentioned that they have been excellent in many parts of Australia. Chris Lucas from the Bureau of Meteorology discussed the outlook for October 2023, highlighting the presence of El Nino, leading to warmer and drier conditions, which may affect the wet season and pose a higher wildfire risk.
Gillian Reilly, head of marketing at Hort Innovation, discussed strategies to boost the cherry industry. They aim to position cherries as Australia's premium fruit, focusing on increasing value perception among retailers and consumers.
Unlocking growth potential involves addressing barriers such as pricing and off-season demand. Reilly suggests emphasizing the fruit's delicious taste, its festive nature, and its association with the holiday season. They view the higher price as an affirmation of cherries' exclusivity and worth.
Read the full article: Fresh Fruit Portal
02 Jan 2025
Tony Coad, Marketing and Sales Director of Reid Fruits, stated: “For us at Reid Fruits, this is an exciting time of year, with another cherry harvest underway. The harvest looks excellent, and we expect a 15% increase in volumes this season compared to last year.”
27 Sep 2024
Gisela® 12 and 6 are currently being grown indoors in tissue culture at the Waimea Nurseries laboratory and are being tested in orchards in Central Otago, including Clyde Orchards and Suncrest Orchard in Cromwell.
02 Oct 2026
In Coquimbo, Chile, the cherry harvest could begin between October 10 and 15, one of the earliest dates ever recorded in the region. Production is expected to fall by 50%, while larger fruit, higher sugar levels and access to new markets could support growers this season.
02 Oct 2026
In New Zealand, real-time monitoring with IoT sensors helps cherry growers track temperature and humidity during transport, prevent spoilage, reduce food waste and preserve quality and freshness from the orchard to the market throughout the entire cold-chain journey.
