Koala Cherries owners, cousins Michael & Simon Rouget
Michael Rouget, Managing Director at Koala Cherries: "It was ideal pollination weather and not to hot nor too cold. Our early region, Cobram is past full flower, and has lots of flowers. At our mid season production area, Yarck farms, flowering has just finished and we have an ideal amount of flowering and good conditions. December will be our harvest window from here."
The late season, which will run from late December to mid January is in the Strathbogie region, here flowering is almost done with Regina and other late flowering varieties are at about 80% of full flower. Michael said there are excellent pollination conditions so that also should mean a nice crop. Cobram will start to harvest around the 5th of November, and having the three different growing regions means the season will last for ten weeks.
There two export brands Koala Premium and Koala Gold.
Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are the main destinations for the cherry export, Vietnam has opened up for Australian cherries so Michael is hoping to do quite a bit there this year.
"Unfortunately we will not get to Chinese New Year as it is too late this season. Only Tasmanian producers will be able to supply."
For more information:
Michael Rouget
Koala Cherries Pty Ltd
Tel: +61 3 5773 4250
Email: Michael@koalacherries.com.au
www.koalacherries.com.au