According to data from Hort Innovation, during the 2020/21 season, Australia exported around 5,000 tonnes of cherries, representing 231 TP3T of total production, with Hong Kong being the main destination for the fruit.
It is with increasing numbers of cherry exports that Cherry Growers Australia has started a program with industry partners, which will be carried out by Hort Innovation.
The above, with the purpose of taking advantage of the trend in increasing exports, for which they project to reach 40% for the 2025 season, in an effort by the nearly 200 Australian cherry producers, who would be part of this new stage of development, based on the new export program worth 1.2 million Australian dollars (858,000 USD).
The initiative, led by Cherry Growers and implemented by Hort Innovation, will be funded by industry levies and Australian Government funding. The program will include more than 50 activities aimed at strengthening export capacity among Australian cherry growers, minimising trade risks throughout the supply chain and enhancing the reputation of Australian cherries.
“The industry has set an ambitious target of exporting 40% of production by 2025 and this export program, with support tailored to each region, will help us achieve this,” Andrea Magiafoglou, director of operations at Cherry Growers Australia, told international media outlet Produce Report.
Brett Fifield, CEO of Hort Innovation, told the media that “the program will focus on emergency response planning, pest and disease management, supply chain traceability and data, and training workshops and export helplines.”
