The first ever shipments of Australian cherries bound for Korea departed this week, just in time for Korean Lunar New Year celebrations.
Australian trade minister Simon Crean, agriculture minister Tony Burke and Tasmanian minister for Primary Industries David Llewellyn today welcomed the decision by the Republic of Korea to accept imports of Tasmanian cherries.
'This is an export breakthrough and a major win for Australia and Tasmania,' Mr Crean said in a press release.
Achieving Korean market access for Tasmanian cherries was the result of a joint effort between the Australian and Tasmanian governments, Fruit Growers Tasmania and the Australian horticulture industry.
Tasmania's temperate climate is ideally suited to producing large, full-flavoured cherries and statistics show the state produced around 4,000 tonnes in 2008/09, with that figure tipped to hit 7,000 tonnes by 2011/12.
Mr Burke said Australian cherries are renowned for being some of the best in the world.
'Our Australian cherries have a reputation internationally for being among the best in the world. Pretty soon Korean consumers will be able to experience this first hand,' he said.
Mr Crean welcomed the decision and said Australia viewed the Republic of Korea as a very important trading partner.
'Australia's trade with the Republic of Korea is of great strategic importance. It is our third largest export market for goods and services,' he said.
Australia first requested market access for Tasmanian cherries in 2005, with the assessment beginning in 2007 after Australian mangoes were granted Korean market access.
According to Mr Llewellyn, Tasmanian cherry growers are delighted with the outcome, in particular Korea's decision to import the cherries without fumigation.
'These import conditions essentially mirror the current conditions for cherries into Japan, making it easier for Australian exporters to get top quality produce into both markets,' Mr Llewellyn said.
The Korean government will now consider granting market access for Australian table grapes.
