Cherry growers set for bumper harvest

CHERRY growers are encouraging fruit lovers to buy direct from the farm gate this cherry season as farmers set in for a bumper harvest.

All set: Michael Rouget is with some of the first cherries of the season at Koala Cherries in Yarck. His Yarck farm will be part of the Victorian Cherry Trail this season. Picture: Chloe Smith

CHERRY growers are encouraging fruit lovers to buy direct from the farm gate this cherry season as farmers set in for a bumper harvest.

Koala Cherries started its harvest last week at its Yarck property, and according to owner Michael Rouget there will be plenty of cherries available this Christmas, particularly after their crop avoided damage from recent rain.

“Fruit within 10 days of harvest were at risk of rain damage whereas beyond that the cherries benefited from it,” Mr Rouget said

“About 10 per cent of our cherries were at risk and that fruit only had a very small amount of damage.”

Mr Rouget said early price indicators sat at $12-14 per kilo, a promising start to the season considering crops were expected to yield well.

“There’s quite a big crop around the country so there is more potential for a bumper harvest but being cherry growers we’re always optimistic,” he said.

“There’s also pretty good demand for Australian cherry products to Vietnam, which is new this year, and we’ve also had improved protocol into China, which will allow for our cherries there.”

Last year Koala Cherries also updated its shed door shop selling fresh cherries and products such as sauces, chutneys, jams and liqueurs.

“It’s tapping into that growing trend of consumers wanting to buy on farm and see where their produce comes from,” he said.

“We’re seeing it as a growth part in our business.”

Koala Cherries, which has farms in four regions, will be involved in the Victorian Cherry Trail this season.

The cherry trail involves 13 cherry orchards and business in the Upper Goulburn Valley, Yarra Valley and Ranges, Macedon Ranges and Mornington Peninsula.