New Zealand's cherry industry sees record-breaking export season

28 Feb 2025
379

New Zealand's cherry industry is experiencing an unprecedented export season, with projections indicating record-high volumes. Dean Smith, CEO of Summerfruit NZ, reports that cherry exports have already surpassed 5,000 tonnes, driven by strong demand during the Chinese New Year period in East Asia. Taiwan remains the top market, followed by China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

Favorable winter conditions, good flowering, and new investments in the industry, including advanced growing systems, have contributed to higher yields. Leading the growth is Southern Fruits International, which expects to harvest over 500 tonnes of premium cherries from its Central Otago orchards—the company’s largest yield to date. Sales & Marketing Manager Sharon Kirk attributes this success to increased pre-season demand, with forward orders secured for more than half of the anticipated crop at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong.

Southern Fruits’ orchards at Lindis Peaks and Mt Pisa (spanning 160 hectares) are now entering peak production, attracting premium retailers from the Middle East, Asia (especially China and Taiwan), the U.S., and Canada. Emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, and Hong Kong are also showing potential.

PFN News Archives - New Zealand Central Otago Cherries 

The company has introduced a new cherry brand, "Moment", complementing its existing "Beyond" line, both featuring eight premium cherry varieties: Sonnet, Sandra Rose, Santina, Stardust, Lapins, Sweetheart, Kordia, and Staccato, available from late December through February.

This successful season follows a challenging year marked by adverse weather conditions that damaged protective nets, reducing production. The timely replacement of these nets ahead of the flowering and fruit-setting period has significantly contributed to this year's bumper crop.

With high-altitude orchards still harvesting, industry stakeholders remain optimistic about maintaining momentum and further strengthening New Zealand’s reputation as a top producer of premium cherries worldwide.

Read full article: Planetfood


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Nitrogen fertilisation: studies show that the important thing is not to overdo it!

Crop protection Tech management

05 Sep 2023

In conclusion, the results indicate that 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare is the best dose to provide adequate nutrition for sour cherry trees. Nitrogen supply increased its presence in leaves, while it decreased phosphorus and potassium concentrations.

The 2024 cherry campaign: the ISMEA report on the Italian production

Production

29 Jul 2024

Turning to information on retail sales, partial data (29 April-16 June) from source NielsenIQ indicate for 2024 compared to the previous campaign an increase in volumes (+12.3%) and a more substantial increase in household expenditure (+20.3%).

In evidenza

New cherry packing plant in Ñuble (Chile): Dole and Mañío join forces for global export

Markets

22 Apr 2025

Dole partners with Mañío to launch a state-of-the-art cherry packing facility in San Nicolás, Ñuble. A $12M+ investment aimed at boosting export capacity and entering new markets. The project will create up to 400 direct jobs in the region.

Fruit quality and cracking susceptibility in three sweet cherry cultivars

Quality

22 Apr 2025

A Romanian study analyzes the correlation between fruit quality and cracking in three sweet cherry cultivars: Special, Tentant, and Severin. The results highlight significant differences in weight, pH, color, °Brix, and cracking index, with implications for varietal selection.

Tag Popolari