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
31 Oct 2024
Producers have several management strategies to increase the final fruit size, including fruit load regulation, irrigation management, fertilisation and the application of biostimulants and growth regulators.
16 Sep 2024
In the 2023/24 marketing year, the area planted with fresh cherries in Japan slightly decreased to 4,200 hectares (ha) compared to 4,230 ha in MY 2022/23. FAS/Tokyo predicts that this trend will continue in MY 2024/25, with the planted area expected to reach 4,160 hectares.
01 Apr 2026
A Utah State University study presents a low-cost system to estimate sour cherry yield. Using ultrasonic sensors and GNSS, it generates accurate yield maps, improving orchard management and making precision agriculture more accessible to smaller farms.
01 Apr 2026
AOP Cerises de France is strengthening the French cherry sector by expanding membership, improving volume coordination and enhancing dialogue with retailers. The goal is to increase bargaining power and ensure greater market stability across France.
