A launch event to celebrate the official start of the Tasmanian cherries season was held on January 8 in Taipei, before the Lunar New Year celebrations.
The event brought together key representatives from the Tasmanian cherry industry, Fruit Growers Tasmania, Cherry Growers Australia, and Austrade, along with Taiwanese importers and buyers.
Peter Cornish, CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania and president of Cherry Growers Australia, gave a presentation at the event.
“I am pleased to participate in this important event,” said Cornish. “This is the first time Tasmania has participated in a national event promoting the cherry season to importers and buyers. Tasmania grows the best cherries in the world, and Taiwan is a very important market for us, with 22% of the state's cherry exports destined for Taiwanese customers.”
In Taiwan, large red cherries are the preferred gift during Lunar New Year celebrations, as they symbolize happiness and prosperity and are considered a gesture of good luck that strengthens family bonds.
“Thanks to Tasmania's relatively pest-free status, growers are not required to treat the fruit before export. This means that cherries arrive ripe, fresh, and ready to eat within 48-72 hours of picking. Not many regions can say the same,” added Cornish.
“Moreover, in Tasmania we grow exceptional cherries: our cool maritime climate and long, slow growing seasons ensure that our fruit develops an unparalleled depth of flavor.”
The event also featured a speech by Tasmania's Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, and a discussion between local importers and Tasmanian cherry growers about the future growth of the market. In addition, official guests were able to taste the first Tasmanian cherries of the season.
“Our growers appreciate the continued support they receive from their importers and retailers in Taiwan, and this event is partly to thank them for all their efforts,” said Cornish. “A big thank you also goes to our growers, who continue to work hard to advance Tasmania’s cherry exports and to enhance the profile of Australian fruit in global markets.”
As part of the event, a marketing video for the Tasmanian Grown Cherry campaign was shown, highlighting the high quality of Tasmania's cherries, focusing on their large size, distinctive flavor, and vibrant color.
Source: Fruitnet
Image: Fruitnet
17 Nov 2025
Gräb Nursery visits top cherry growers in the UK to evaluate late Kir® varieties. Focus on fruit quality, storage and cracking resistance. In partnership with Frank P Matthews Trees, the aim is to develop stronger, tastier and climate-adapted cherry cultivars.
09 Dec 2024
Claire Scofield studies the effects of environmental conditions under rain covers on calcium uptake in cherries. The aim is to further our understanding of xylem dynamics and the impact of rain covers on these processes.
05 Jan 2026
On 24 December, a local fruit grower explained that this year the trees were subjected to forced dormancy and heating earlier than usual, resulting in the cherries ripening about 10 days earlier than in previous years.
02 Jan 2026
Chile, the world’s top exporter of fresh cherries, is tackling the growing threat of Drosophila suzukii through an advanced strategy that includes the Sterile Insect Technique and a cross-border partnership with Argentina to safeguard fruit quality and global market access.
