The winning bid of 165,000 Australian dollars was made by Talal and Joanne Khanafer with the support of Sydney Markets, Sydney Markets Credit Services, and a group of Sydney Markets companies. A box of cherries from the Warby Ranges in the northeast of Victoria was sold for a record-breaking 165,000 Australian dollars during the annual Cherry Ball hosted by the Sydney Markets Foundation.
The box of cherries came from Smiths Fruit in Wangaratta, which has been operating for nearly 150 years, and was specially selected during an official tasting event before the cherry auction. The winning bid of 60,000 dollars was made by Talal and Joanne Khanafer of Trims Fresh Merrylands, with additional donations totaling 105,000 Australian dollars, including 25,000 dollars from Sydney Markets on behalf of its shareholders, 20,000 dollars from Sydney Markets Credit Services, and another 60,000 dollars from a consortium of Sydney Markets companies and individuals.
The cherry auction will see the full amount of 165,000 dollars donated to the 2024 charity partner, Little Wings. The organization provides free, safe, and professional air and ground transport to seriously ill children in regional and rural towns of New South Wales, Australia, and Queensland. The annual Cherry Auction has raised approximately 2 million Australian dollars since its inception in 1980. Meegan George, CEO of the Sydney Markets Foundation, stated that the cherry auction allows the market community to celebrate the stone fruit season in style, along with the fresh produce industry and corporate donors.
Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson expressed her excitement about the outcome and the support shown by the market community. “The funds raised by the Sydney Markets Foundation will help families in our regional communities continue to access vital transport services, enabling their children to reach appointments, clinics, and treatments,” said Pearson.
Read the full article: Fruitnet
Image: Fruitnet
16 Jul 2024
"There have already been promising results in North America, where it has become naturally established. We are currently testing its acclimatisation and effectiveness in about 60 plots throughout France,' explains Nicolas Borowizc of INRAE Paca.
15 Dec 2023
Lorena Pinto, Product Manager of A.N.A. Chile Cherries, emphasised that the collaboration with the University is a scenario to present a wide range of fruit varieties that are now experiencing an unusual season due to climatic problems.
18 Mar 2026
Jerte Valley PDO expands its cherry season with new certified varieties. Between favorable winter chill, growing European demand and insurance challenges, the sector focuses on quality, brand recognition and access to new international markets global competitive.
18 Mar 2026
Research conducted in Kent, the largest cherry-producing region in Great Britain, shows that cherry processing waste can be transformed into nutraceutical ingredients rich in anthocyanins. Freeze-dried cherry pulp powder demonstrated protective effects in experimental models.
