Record-breaking cherries: box sold for AUD 165,000

09 Dec 2024
1023

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


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Branching and fruiting wood techniques tested in North Carolina orchards

Tech management

26 May 2025

Tom Kon from North Carolina State University investigates chemical and cultural techniques to stimulate lateral branching and improve fruiting wood. Field trials show promising outcomes, though some methods remain labor-intensive or unsustainable.

D.suzukii management in Emilia-Romagna on cherry trees: monitoring and Integrated Production strategies

Crop protection

20 Dec 2024

The Consorzio Fitosanitario di Modena is particularly engaged in various specialized research activities in favor of cherry producers. Among those, the one related to the annual monitoring of D. suzukii is considered one of the most important to guide technical consultants.

In evidenza

The influence of fruit size on sweet cherry respiration: implications for shelf life

Post-harvest​

22 Oct 2025

A study from Washington State University explores how the ψ factor, related to fruit size and pulp weight, affects the respiration of sweet cherries. The findings offer new ways to enhance modified atmosphere packaging and improve cold chain logistics.

Cherries: market growth faces cracking, climate instability and biotech innovation

Tech management

22 Oct 2025

Chile’s cherry industry keeps expanding with exports driven by China, but growers face critical threats: fruit cracking, unstable weather and billion-dollar losses. Producers and startups rely on integrated orchard strategies and biotech innovation to secure quality and competiti

Tag Popolari