KIND weather has resulted in a “phenomenal” year for the state’s cherry growers, according to Cherry Growers Association of SA president Andrew Flavell.
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Mr Flavell said reports from major fruit growing areas in the Riverland and Adelaide Hills stated there had been “really good fruit set”.
“It was nice, kind, weather for cherry growers – which means no rain,” he said.
The lack of rain meant cherry size varied in dryland orchards, but Mr Flavell said in areas with irrigation, the resulting fruit looked good.
“Two years ago, for whatever reason, the whole region suffered a terrible crop,” he said.
“Last year was better and this year is phenomenal.”
Mr Flavell said the July cold snap would have aided ripening, with records showing a return to a more “average” winter, in contrast to recent warmer years.
Cherry sales generally lift in the lead-up to Christmas, which can mean an increase in price, however Mr Flavell says harvest stretches from November to January, with Riverland orchards ready first.
Mr Flavell said birds were a particularly big problem on his orchard this year, even with nets.
“We’ve probably lost 10 to 20 per cent,” he said. “It’s the worst we’ve had in two or three seasons.”
He said it could, in part, be attributed to the drought removing food sources.
On his own 60 hectare farm at Lobethal, Mr Flavell grows about 8ha of cherries with nine or 10 varieties planted to spread the harvest window.
He has mostly later harvesting fruit, as he said his local “microcosm tends to run late”. He usually sells domestically on the wholesale market, under the Flavell Fruit Sales label.
Tough quarantine restrictions mean he focuses most of his sales locally or interstate, however that could change next season.
The Adelaide Hills region was looking to establish a designated Pest Free Area, which would mean it was officially recognised as being free of fruit fly.
“It will benefit us all immensely in exports,” he said. “Not for this season but for upcoming seasons.”
This season the association also celebrates the 10th edition of its Cherry Map. It showcases 25 orchards in the Adelaide Hills that offer shed-door or pick-your-own sales.
Last year a mobile phone app version called Fresh Cherries was launched.
“It’s the first of its kind for cherries in SA,” he said.
