With a near record crop on the trees, cherry growers were primed for a top producing season with early season and mid–season quality cherries on display in supermarkets and specialty fruit shops—and customers buying them and coming back for more.
Chile, a key southern hemisphere cherry producer had losses of about 50% of the cherry crop due to rain. Then here, from late November an unusual rain pattern swept across the country affecting many growing regions but especially the Adelaide Hills in SA and Young in NSW.
However, top quality cherries were still available to consumers thanks to the ability of high–tech graders to pack perfect fruit, which enabled the consumer to return to buy again with confidence.
Early December produced more rain, with even more in the second week of the month.
Minimal damage for some growers
Some growers did not sustain severe rain damage to their fruit because the rain missed them or they had erected rain covers or they had adequate calcium input during the growing season, or they were located in a micro climate where a few showers fell but did not damage the cherry crop to any significant degree.
Remember that the Australian cherry season lasts about 100 days, so we might only be about half way there.
Fruit buds for next season are forming now, and it is looking good (see photos).
Excerpt from an article in ABC/Guardian Australia
New South Wales battles severe hailstorms: Significant crop damage just before the crucial Christmas period
New South Wales, a region famed for its cherry production, has recently faced a devastating blow due to unexpected hailstorms on 2 December. This severe weather, characterised by heavy rains and strong winds, has particularly affected cherry orchards, leading to significant crop damage just before the crucial Christmas period.
The impact was especially felt in cherry-producing areas such as Gulgong, near Mudgee, and Young, often referred to as Australia’s ‘cherry capital.’
Orchards in these regions, known for growing premium varieties, saw their crops ravaged by the inclement weather. The sudden rainfall caused the cherries to absorb excessive water, resulting in widespread skin splitting and rendering the fruit unfit for sale.
Fiona Hall, general manager of a major cherry supplier, expressed the extent of the damage: “We’ve walked away from that crop; there was just too much damage. The rain fills the cherries with water, causing the skin to split and pop.”
The loss is substantial, with hundreds of tonnes of cherries affected. This setback has not only financial implications for the growers but also disrupts the local communities that heavily rely on the cherry season for economic and cultural activities.
“Everything was set for a perfect year—great pollination, great fruit set. Now, what was shaping up to be fantastic is looking very challenging,” Hall added.
Despite these challenges, cherry growers are calling for public support for the slightly blemished, yet still flavourful, fruit that remains.
See this article in Tree Fruit Dec 2023
