PRE-CHRISTMAS demand for mainland cherries was the strongest in years, but according to Cherry Growers Australia president, Tom Eastlake, demand absolutely died after.
A crop returning approximately 40 per cent less fruit than normal years combined with strong domestic demand resulted in higher prices and very little mainland exports.
“People wanted cherries before Christmas and while export demand was also very strong, prices didn’t compare domestically, so very little fruit was exported from the mainland, unfortunately,” Mr Eastlake said.
“It wasn’t that export demand was lacking, the domestic price was higher.”
While it was a very low export year for mainland cherries it will be a different story for the Tasmanian crop.
“Tasmania’s program will be largely export as growers there have wider access to Asian markets.”
However, the pre and post growing season was without its challenges on the Apple Isle as well as the mainland.
“Yield remains to be seen for the Tasmanian crop,” he said.
In the Young district, Mr Eastlake said the crop potential was absolutely smashed this year.
“We had a diabolically bad winter like most areas of Australia, but on top were massively poor conditions for pollination from rain and poor weather
“In South Australia there was flooding during pollination and early fruit development.”
He said trees set “pretty well” around Young and it looked like a 90 to 100pc crop.
But they dropped their fruit to the ground.
“Hail also wiped out several orchards in the district, Mr Eastlake said.
However, most growers wound up business from the pre-Christmas rush.
The drop in demand post-Christmas was in “massive contrast”.
“Considering how the crop was and the good demand before,” he said.
Orchardists with later maturing varieties and a surplus become marketing canny and look to processing a percentage as a value-add.
At roadside orchards like the Eastlake family’s “Fairfields” and “Maggadalla” farms shopfront outlets have become a good income earner, selling the “Cherry Country” experience through pies, ice cream, yogurt, jams and others items.
“These sidelines add to the visitor experience as they stop firstly for fresh cherries,” Mr Eastlake said.
“It’s all about getting foot traffic.”
“Clientele has shifted over the years. Previously we had a ‘hole in the wall’ at the shed.
“But these days it is about experience.”
Visitors ask what else is available to buy.
So the Eastlakes like many other orchardists have diversified to fit the market.
With his wife, Janelle, and parents Bill and Leila, they process and cook preserves and other value-add items to supplement incomes from the smaller crop this year.
“We probably process around two to four tonnes of cherries each year, although that was back a bit this year.” Mr Eastlake said.
“Frozen yogurt was a new introduction this year which has sold well, but people want our cherry pies too.”