AU: Record harvest expected for cherry growers
One of the first crates of fruit was picked at Narromine in central-west New South Wales and delivered in Orange yesterday.
Manager of the Caernarvon Cherry Company, Allan Bramble, says a lot of new trees are coming into full production, so it could be a big year for cherries.
"The overall Australian volume, there have been figures thrown around of 18,000 tonnes, whereas last year it was more around the 10,000 or 12,000 tonnes, so certainly 18,000 tonnes will be quiet large."
Cherry Growers Australia says based on levies, the largest crop was in 2012/2013, when 14,000 tonnes of cherries were produced.
This morning, a box of cherries from Hillston (NSW) and Victoria was auctioned at the Sydney markets in a charity event for $65,000.
Former Rugby League player Paul Sironen won with a bid of $33,000 representing the retailers. But not to be outdone, Steve 'Blocker' Roach, representing the wholesalers, donated their bid of $32,000. The auctioned boxes from have been given to children in Sydney hospitals.
Source: abc.net.au