The value of Australian cherry exports rose to A$39.2m (US$36.7m) over the 2013/14 season, a 25 per cent increase on the previous season, according to figures released by Fresh Intelligence Consulting.
The increase was attributed to strong international demand and a lower Australian exchange rate, with the average per kg price climbing from A$10.86 (US$10.20) in 2012/13 to A$14.33 (US$13.43) in 2013/14.
The total export volume fell marginally to 2,737 tonnes in 2013/14, a 5.2 per cent decline on the preceding season’s record crop.
Hong Kong was again the Australian industry’s largest market by volume, with 1,180 tonnes shipped to the Asian nation, a season-on-season rise of 6 per cent. Exports to Taiwan (475 tonnes) and Singapore (286 tonnes) dropped 24 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, due to a lighter Australian crop and stronger demand out of Hong Kong.
Direct shipments to China topped 150 tonnes, making it the industry’s fourth largest market. Tasmania, which accounted for 49 per cent of all Australian cherry exports in 2013/14, currently remains the only Australian state with airfreight access into the People’s Republic, with the industry looking to expand on this during the 2014/15 season so all states have improved access.
Export volumes from the island state dropped 11 per cent to 1,328 tonnes this season, while shipments from New South Wales lifted 7 per cent to 848 tonnes. There was a slight 5 per cent fall out of Victoria, which exported 489, tonnes.
