Cherry prices to soar after rain damages crops

CHERRIES are an Aussie Christmas staple, but Victorian consumers could be paying more for cherries over the holidays despite a bumper crop being forecast earlier.

VICTORIANS could be paying more for cherries this Christmas after crops were hit hard by wild weather.

Growers across Victoria, NSW and South Australia are “licking their wounds” and assessing damage caused in last week’s widespread downpour.

Some growers have refused to harvest damaged varieties, while others are packing as ­little as half of the cherries plucked from trees.

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Queen Victoria Market trader Rocco Tripodi says most suppliers have been affected. Picture: Ian Currie

Coles is selling fresh cherries for about $15/kg.

But Victorian Farmers ­Federation horticulture vice­ president James Terry said the cost of top-quality cherries could be set to rise.

“We were looking at a bumper crop but this damage will put a dampener on the outlook,” he said.

“There will be more lower-quality fruit on the market so high-quality fruit is certainly going to more expensive.”

Australia was on track to bounce back from a horror season last year where difficult spring conditions saw two-thirds of the predicted crop eventuate. The industry had predicted a record crop of more than 16,000 tonnes before the rain hit.

Cherry Growers Australia president Tom Eastlake said growers right across the country had “sustained some ­damage”.

“Cherries are an integral part of Christmas for most Australians and that is a special thing to be a part of as a grower,” he said.

Difficult conditions have put a dampener on this year’s cherry crop. Picture: Rebecca Michael.

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“This season is tough, it is bloody tough.

“There are growers who are trying to salvage something but there are others who are walking away from varieties.

“For consumers, there is a real concern about how much cherries are going to cost.”

Queen Victoria Market fruit and vegetable trader Rocco Tripodi said despite last week’s downpour, cherry sales had remained steady and they continued to be a Christmas favourite among shoppers.

“They are probably one of our biggest sellers,” Mr Tripodi said. “Most suppliers have been affected by the weather, but the season has still been good, the quality is good and the size is good.”

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