AU: Western Australian cherry grower's Christmas treat of bumper yields

One of Australia's largest cherry producers is on track for record yields, following perfect conditions over winter.

With the popularity of the fruit increasing over Christmas, there was extra reason for Western Australian company Cherry Lane Fields to celebrate, with ideal conditions midway through the harvest season.

"We had a great winter, very cold, lots of chill hours for the cherries which has resulted in a good fruit set," co-owner Kathy Grozotis said. "Production started second last week November to bumper crops. Consumers will have good quality fruit in good supply this season and the grower should see steady prices ranging from $10-14 per kilo. Western Australia is also experiencing bumper crops. At Cherry Lane Fields we forecast record yields"

Nationally the forecasts were just as good, until storms hit earlier this month, damaging some crops in Victoria and New South Wales. But cherry Lane Fields say the markets in their state of Western Australia so far have remained steady.

"Without the eastern states sending cherries here, the priced have remained steady as soon as they start coming in the price will drop, Ms Grozotis said. We had quite a bit of rain (just before Christmas), it has caused some minor damage."

The company has been growing cherries at the Manjimup farm, in the South West of the state, for over 50 years and supplies to Woolworths, as well as various fruit and vegetable specialty shop and the wholesale markers.

"We grow approximately 20 varieties," Ms Grozotis said. "Harvest ranges from end November to mid-January. Cherry blossom ends approximately the third week October. The first harvest is around 20th November, so the cherry has only had 5 weeks growing time to grow. So early varieties are a softer cherry. As each week goes on, the cherries get sweeter, more firmer, crunchier and sweeter. My favourites, Lapin and Simone are good in size, sweet and a firm cherry."

In November the cherry industry was boosted by the new cherry market access protocols between China and Australia, allowing air freighting from the mainland not just Tasmania. But Ms Grozotis says that probably will not have much of an impact immediately on her company.

"China is a huge market, Western Australia probably does not grow enough volume of cherries to supply China on a regular basis," she said. "We will take things with China slowly."