Victorian cherries could go to waste if restrictions continue

Cherry growers who rely on the pick-your-own market could see their produce go to waste if coronavirus restrictions aren’t eased in time.

Cherry growers are nervous about the upcoming U-Pick season. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Cherry growers are pinning their hopes on reopening for the U-Pick season in November, with some contemplating letting their crops go to waste if restrictions don’t ease in time.

Rachael Harrison, who owns Lanidale Orchard in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, first opened her farm gate to customers to pick their own fruit 15 years ago. She said the joy of the season for her was seeing families out in the orchard, picking fruit and picnicking.

This year she has her fingers crossed she will be able to open the gate at all.

“If we could just sell something that would be a relief,” she said.

“Farming is a tough gig. When you get to this point, you’d like to just see some of your products go onto the table.”

Rachael Harrison in the blossoms at Lanidale Cherry Orchard. Picture: Zoe Phillips

It is the second year in a row the industry has been hit by coronavirus restrictions, after 25 kilometre travel limits imposed for part of the season last year put a “huge dent in numbers (of customers)”, Ms Harrison said.

CherryHill owner Steve Riseborough said his two farms at Wandan and Coldstream were preparing for U-Pick to go ahead this year.

“We’re getting organised and it’ll be quite exciting,” he said.

CherryHill cancelled this year’s Blossom Festival for the second year in a row to comply with coronavirus restrictions.

Those who do make it to an orchard this year will be greeted by an “amazing” crop, Ms Harrison said. “The buds are nice and big and everything is looking healthy.”

Meanwhile, cherry growers who plan to sell their fruit to market are preparing to contend with agriculture’s ongoing labour shortage.

Yarra Valley Cherries packing shed manager Robyn Hall said she was still looking for 12 to 20 staff as harvest approached.

Normally the company employed backpackers who live on site, she said, but last year she was able to recruit some locals to fill roles, while full-time staff worked extra hours to plug gaps.

This year she had her fingers crossed there would be “a lot of local staff that might be looking for filling some work in the lead up to Christmas” to bring in what looked to be a big and healthy crop.

“Coming off a really a really high chill winter, that gives the trees a really good start for the crop,” she said. “We’re looking like a really good season.”