Price hike alert: Cherries set to skyrocket in cost due to devastating storms
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The festive season in Australia is synonymous with the sweet, juicy taste of cherries. Many households look forward to having cherry pavlovas and cherry pies on their Christmas feast.
However, this year, this fruit will become a luxury item as prices are expected to skyrocket due to the worst cherry season in decades.
The surge in cherry prices is attributed to devastating storms in New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA), which have severely impacted cherry crops. The extreme weather has led to a dramatic reduction in production, with some growers experiencing output losses of up to 80 per cent.
The Adelaide Hills, home to over half of the cherry orchards in South Australia, bore the brunt of the storm's wrath.
Record-breaking winds and heavy rain damaged a significant portion of the cherry crops.
The Mount Lofty Ranges, a key cherry-growing region, received four times their typical December rainfall in a single week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Tom Lucas, a grower from Cherries at Verdun in SA, estimates that between 50 and 60 per cent of his crop has been affected, with hundreds of cherries splitting or rotting due to the excessive rainfall.
Brenton Green, another South Australian grower, has lost an estimated 80 per cent of his crop. 'We've probably lost about close to half a million dollars [for the entire year] of valued cherries that are gone,' he shared.
He added: ‘Cherries and splitting goes hand-in-hand, but this year has been the worst from what I can remember and I’ve been doing this for about 36 years.’
Tony Hannaford, a board member of Cherry Growers Australia, agreed, stating that 2023 has been 'probably the worst season for about 20 years.'
The storm's devastation has turned what was expected to be a bumper cherry season into a financial nightmare for growers and consumers alike. With production up 12 per cent compared to the last five years, growers were optimistic about the season.
However, the optimism has now turned into despair. Mr Lucas remarked: ‘[Now] we could be looking at $60,000 to $70,000 in lost revenue.’
The low supply of cherries is likely to result in a significant price hike at supermarkets. Currently, cherries cost $15.90 a kilo at Woolworths and $16.50 at Coles. However, these prices are expected to surge as the current supply runs out.
A speciality cherry retailer has been pricing their cherries between $60 and $125 for boxes weighing two or five kilos. Additionally, various sources suggest that cherries might reach prices up to $40 per kilo.
Australia's cherry industry significantly contributes to the country's agricultural sector. Cherries are grown in all states and territories, with most production occurring in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The industry is characterised by a mix of small family farms and larger commercial operations. The cherry season typically runs from November to February, with the peak harvest period occurring in December and January.
The industry has also faced numerous challenges recently, including climate change, water availability, and labour shortages.
While the current situation is dire, the cherry industry is resilient and has weathered many storms in the past. Growers hope they can recover from this setback and continue to provide Australians with their beloved cherries.
In the meantime, consumers may need to brace themselves for higher prices or consider alternative fruits for their festive season celebrations.
What are your thoughts on the predicted cherry price hike, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
However, this year, this fruit will become a luxury item as prices are expected to skyrocket due to the worst cherry season in decades.
The surge in cherry prices is attributed to devastating storms in New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA), which have severely impacted cherry crops. The extreme weather has led to a dramatic reduction in production, with some growers experiencing output losses of up to 80 per cent.
The Adelaide Hills, home to over half of the cherry orchards in South Australia, bore the brunt of the storm's wrath.
Cherry prices are set to skyrocket following the storms in New South Wales and South Australia. Credit: Jane Doan/Pexels
Record-breaking winds and heavy rain damaged a significant portion of the cherry crops.
The Mount Lofty Ranges, a key cherry-growing region, received four times their typical December rainfall in a single week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Tom Lucas, a grower from Cherries at Verdun in SA, estimates that between 50 and 60 per cent of his crop has been affected, with hundreds of cherries splitting or rotting due to the excessive rainfall.
Brenton Green, another South Australian grower, has lost an estimated 80 per cent of his crop. 'We've probably lost about close to half a million dollars [for the entire year] of valued cherries that are gone,' he shared.
He added: ‘Cherries and splitting goes hand-in-hand, but this year has been the worst from what I can remember and I’ve been doing this for about 36 years.’
Tony Hannaford, a board member of Cherry Growers Australia, agreed, stating that 2023 has been 'probably the worst season for about 20 years.'
The storm's devastation has turned what was expected to be a bumper cherry season into a financial nightmare for growers and consumers alike. With production up 12 per cent compared to the last five years, growers were optimistic about the season.
However, the optimism has now turned into despair. Mr Lucas remarked: ‘[Now] we could be looking at $60,000 to $70,000 in lost revenue.’
The low supply of cherries is likely to result in a significant price hike at supermarkets. Currently, cherries cost $15.90 a kilo at Woolworths and $16.50 at Coles. However, these prices are expected to surge as the current supply runs out.
A speciality cherry retailer has been pricing their cherries between $60 and $125 for boxes weighing two or five kilos. Additionally, various sources suggest that cherries might reach prices up to $40 per kilo.
Australia's cherry industry significantly contributes to the country's agricultural sector. Cherries are grown in all states and territories, with most production occurring in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The industry is characterised by a mix of small family farms and larger commercial operations. The cherry season typically runs from November to February, with the peak harvest period occurring in December and January.
The industry has also faced numerous challenges recently, including climate change, water availability, and labour shortages.
While the current situation is dire, the cherry industry is resilient and has weathered many storms in the past. Growers hope they can recover from this setback and continue to provide Australians with their beloved cherries.
In the meantime, consumers may need to brace themselves for higher prices or consider alternative fruits for their festive season celebrations.
What are your thoughts on the predicted cherry price hike, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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