Australia's cherry industry is preparing to expand exports as production increases and the sector maintains its focus on quality. Backed by funding from Hort Innovation, a new strategic initiative aims to address export barriers and position Australian cherries as a premium product in global markets. The industry has set a target to export one-third of all Australian cherry production by 2030.
© Hort Innovation
The initiative will invest in areas including quality assurance, market access, market intelligence, trade development, and grower training to strengthen the industry's export performance.
Brett Fifield, CEO of Hort Innovation, said the project is an opportunity to build on the industry's existing reputation. "Australian cherries are already recognised globally for their exceptional quality, but we know there's untapped potential. This project is about giving growers the tools, access, and insights they need to scale exports sustainably and profitably," he said.
"By investing in quality standards, market access support, and grower support, we're helping the industry build resilience and strengthen its competitive edge. This is about long-term growth and ensuring Australian cherries continue to shine on the world stage," he added.
The project will focus on ensuring consistent export-grade fruit quality, empowering growers with training and tools for export markets, and supporting commercially viable market access protocols to maintain freshness. It will also aim to expand market share in established and emerging regions and deliver data and insights to guide export strategies.
Cherry Growers Australia CEO Penny Measham said the project builds on an established reputation for quality. "Our Australian industry has a strong reputation for delivering premium quality fruit from all production regions, testament to an industry that consistently delivers for consumers. Production of quality fruit is very much front of mind. This project ensures our industry not only maintains this reputation for healthy premium produce, but builds on it through expanded export opportunities."
The initiative follows the Cherry Export Strategy developed under the Cherry Trade Development Project 2022–2025 (CY21001), which identified industry priorities across quality assurance, market access, branding, data insights, and structural efficiency.
The new project will continue this work alongside other programs, including the development of a national cherry brand, the establishment of export-grade quality standards (CY25002), trade development and market access (CY24006), environmental impact research (CY24005), and support for protected cropping decisions (CY24004).
The project is funded by Hort Innovation using the cherry research and development levy with contributions from the Australian Government.
© Hort InnovationFor more information:
Lauren Jones
Horticulture Innovation
Tel: +61 0427 140 765
Email: [email protected]
www.horticulture.com.au
