Cherry on top of export wins

TASMANIAN cherries are enjoying a purple patch at the top of the tree for luxury gifts in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s Australian economic and trade office director Raymond Fan has revealed cherries from Tasmania are in high demand in his city — particularly as Chinese New Year gifts, as the peak harvest season coincides with those celebrations.

At that time — late January — the biggest and best Tasmanian fruit can demand prices of up to $1 each, Mr Fan said.

“The Tasmanian cherries are very big, a lot bigger than the cherries we get from other places,” he said.

“They also taste very good as well, so they make a good gift for Chinese New Year.”

Tasmania’s reputation for quality food is also seeing demand for other products increase.

“Tasmania is very famous in Hong Kong, everyone knows about it,” Mr Fan said.

“Many of your products are high quality, so people in Hong Kong also really like the Tasmanian salmon and other products like honey.”

He said Tasmania’s reputation for gourmet food is also encouraging more people from Hong Kong to visit the state.

Cherry industry pioneer Tim Reid from Reid Fruits said Tasmania’s cool maritime climate was a major advantage when it comes to producing cherries.

“We’re often picking most of our cherries here after a lot of the other growers have finished, so that’s really well timed, especially if the Chinese New Year falls a bit later,” he said. “Our climate here is the biggest thing. Because it’s not too hot, the cherries can grow to their full size and the flavours can really develop before they get too ripe, so they get to their full potential.”

Mr Reid said his company packaged its best cherries specifically for the gift market.

“We select our really high quality cherries and they are put into gift packaging, so we can push them into that high end of the market,” he said.

Mr Reid said Hong Kong was also a crucial distribution point for much of Tasmania’s fruit, which is exported throughout Asia.

“The market can get a bit over supplied there at times, but if it’s not we can get some very good prices in Hong Kong,” he said.

Tasmanian cherry growers now export their fruit to around 20 countries.