Australia’s Stone Fruit Output Expected To Rebound in 2024/25

According to the Australia: Stone Fruit Annual report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Australia’s stone fruit production in the 2024/25 season is expected to increase owing to more favorable weather conditions.

Cherries

Australia’s cherry production in the 2024/25 season is projected to reach 20,000 metric tons, up from the revised estimate of 18,500 metric tons for the 2023/24 season. This forecast represents a 17% increase over the average production of the past five seasons and an 8% increase compared with the previous season.

Australian cherry exports are primarily concentrated from November to March, with the export volume for the 2023/24 season estimated at 4,000 metric tons. For the 2024/25 season, exports of fresh cherries are expected to rise to 5,000 metric tons, making it the second highest on record. While recent harvests have been affected by rain that has impacted cherry quality, improvements in weather conditions are anticipated to enhance overall fruit quality and increase the proportion of cherries meeting export standards.

The top five overseas markets for Australian cherries are Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan and mainland China. Although total export volumes vary from year to year, these markets together account for over 75% to 80% of shipments. With the expected improvements in cherry quality and overall export volume for the 2024/25 season, exports to these key destinations are projected to grow. Cherry exports to mainland China in the 2023/24 season saw a strong increase compared with the previous season but still fell short of peak levels.

Peaches and Nectarines

Benefiting from adequate chilling hours, anticipated average rainfall in the coming months and ample water for irrigation, Australia’s peach and nectarine production for the 2024/25 season is expected to grow to 90,000 metric tons. This represents a 6% increase from the 85,000 metric tons estimated for the 2023/24 season.

Based on the anticipated increase in production, exports of fresh peaches and nectarines in the 2024/25 season are projected to rise to 14,000 metric tons, compared with 13,400 metric tons in the 2023/24 season. Enhanced fruit quality is expected to increase the volume of peaches and nectarines suitable for export. Approximately 85% of Australian peach exports are directed to five countries, primarily in Asia, with mainland China being the main destination.

Mainland China began importing Australian peaches and nectarines only eight years ago, but the import volume has grown rapidly. Over the past six years, mainland China’s peach imports have been exclusively from Chile and Australia, with the latter accounting for approximately 15% of the total supply. If the trend of increasing peach and nectarine imports into China continues, Australia could benefit from this growth even if its market share remains unchanged. Chinese consumers reportedly prefer white-fleshed peaches and nectarines, which are typically sweeter than yellow-fleshed varieties. Industry reports indicate that Australian growers have recognized this preference and are adjusting their cultivation practices accordingly.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.