Tasmanian cherry exports hit record $50m in 2025/26 season
Tasmanian cherry growers are celebrating a strong export season, with official data reporting nearly to $50 million (AUD $70 million) for the 2025/26 season.
According to the industry body Fruit Growers Tasmania, this new record in value comes accompanied by over 2,740 tonnes exported, representing 31 percent year-on-year volume growth—just below the highest on record.
In a press release, the association explained that the season had a challenging start, with a cool spring and early summer leading to late fruit ripening. Weather conditions delayed the harvest and the end of the season, coinciding with the late Lunar New Year.
“I think this year the stars aligned for most of our growers,” said Peter Cornish, CEO of the grower association. “Not only did our late-season work well with the late Lunar New Year period, but the fruit quality was also excellent. Our southern hemisphere competitors struggled to put cherries into the Asian market in February, leading to less competition overall.”
Cornish noted that this led to both volume and unit pricing increasing this season across all markets where the fruit is sold.
Tasmanian cherries consolidate their global footprint
Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam remain the key export destinations, accounting for over 70 percent of the Australian region's total export volume.
However, the grower organization said that market diversification remains a focus for the industry, which currently has a portfolio of over 18 destinations worldwide.
Hong Kong regained the number one destination for Tasmanian cherries, with trade to China growing 168 percent in the year.
Supported by the local government, the industry led a range of marketing activities during the season, including launch events in Hong Kong and Taiwan, an inward buyer event, and a social media campaign targeting the communities in Australia that celebrate the Lunar New Year.
“The social media campaign was aimed at supporting domestic sales after the Christmas period, when consumption traditionally tends to drop off despite much of the best cherries still being available,” Peter added. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that this year’s cherry sales were very strong in the domestic market during January and into February, with the campaign receiving very positive feedback.”
Some 60 percent of all Tasmanian cherries are sold within Australia.
“Overall, the fact that Tasmanian cherries represented 61 percent of the value of national cherry exports underlines the strength of our industry,” said Nic Hansen, owner of Tasmanian Cherries and President of the Fruit Growers Tasmania. “It is an excellent result and a much-needed boost to our cherry growers as we continue to focus on how to remain competitive in this high-cost pressure environment.”
*All images courtesy of Fruit Growers Tasmania.
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