According to the report Australia: Stone Fruit Annual, recently published by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, an increase in stone fruit production in Australia is expected in the 2024/25 season, thanks to more favorable climatic conditions.
Australian cherry production in the 2024/25 season is expected to reach 20,000 tons, compared to the revised estimate of 18,500 tons for the 2023/24 season. This forecast represents a 17% increase over the average production of the last five seasons and an 8% increase over the previous season.
Australian cherry exports are mainly concentrated from November to March, with export volumes for the 2023/24 season estimated at 4,000 metric tons. For the 2024/25 season, fresh cherry exports are expected to increase to 5,000 tons, the second-highest volume ever recorded.
Although recent harvests have been affected by rain, impacting the quality of the cherries, the expected improvement in weather conditions is anticipated to enhance the overall fruit quality and increase the percentage of cherries meeting export standards.
The five main overseas markets for Australian cherries are Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Mainland China. Although the total export volume varies from year to year, these markets together account for over 75%-80% of shipments.
With the expected improvements in cherry quality and overall export volumes for the 2024/25 season, export growth to these key destinations is anticipated. Cherry exports to Mainland China in the 2023/24 season saw a significant increase compared to the previous season, but are still below peak levels.
Thanks to adequate chill hours, average rainfall expected in the coming months, and ample irrigation water, Australian production of peaches and nectarines for the 2024/25 season is expected to grow to 90,000 tons. This is a 6% increase compared to the 85,000 tons estimated for the 2023/24 season.
Based on the expected production increase, fresh peach exports and nectarine exports in the 2024/25 season are forecast to rise to 14,000 tons, compared to 13,400 tons in the 2023/24 season. The improvement in fruit quality is expected to increase the volume of peaches and nectarines suitable for export. About 85% of Australian peach exports are directed to five countries, mainly in Asia, with Mainland China as the leading destination.
Read the full article: Produce Report
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