The people of Tasmania can celebrate the start of summer with one of the most awaited treats of the season: fresh cherries from Tasmania.
From supermarket shelves to roadside stalls, the delicious cherries from Tasmania are now available across the State, offering a sweet and flavorful taste of summer.
To celebrate the start of the cherry season in Tasmania, the Honorable Jane Howlett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, and the CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania, Peter Cornish, visited a store to sample some early-season cherries.
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 and our cherries now available.”
“The harvest looks excellent, and we expect a 15% increase in volumes this season compared to last year.”
We anticipate good size, color, and sweetness as the different varieties ripen and are ready for harvest throughout the season. With summer underway, another great season for Tasmanian cherries is shaping up!”
The CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania, Peter Cornish, stated: “Tasmania’s cool maritime climate allows our fruits to fully mature, enhancing their size, sweetness, and intense natural flavor, for which Tasmanian cherries are renowned.
“We’re so fortunate to be the first to get our hands on the best cherries in the world—no other place gets them fresh from the tree like we do!”
“Every summer, locals and visitors eagerly look forward to enjoying Tasmanian cherries, and we’re thrilled that they’re now available statewide for everyone.”
While the peak of the cherry season arrives in January, perfectly aligning with the Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia, Tasmanian growers have invested in new varieties, many of which are cultivated to meet local demand before Christmas.
The exceptional quality of Tasmanian cherries has made Tasmania Australia’s leading cherry producer, providing over half of the country’s cherry exports, valued at $48 million annually.
With over 20 international markets, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, Tasmanian cherries are in high demand globally. Thanks to direct air freight services, the cherries reach international markets fresh within 48-72 hours of harvest, ensuring the exceptional quality of the fruit.
“Our cherries are appreciated worldwide, but Tasmanians are lucky to be the first to taste them,” Cornish said.
Tasmanian cherries are now available at specialty fruit stores, supermarkets, farmers' markets, and directly from growers across the State.
For more information on where to purchase fresh cherries directly from the producer, check out the recently launched Tasmanian Seasonal Produce Guide 2024-25 on the Fruit Growers Tasmania website, or pick up a copy at visitor information centers, Spirit of Tasmania ferries, Hobart and Launceston airports, and participating retailers.
Watch the Fruit Growers Tasmania promotional video on cherries
Source: Fruit Growers Tasmania
Image: Fruit Growers Tasmania
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