Almost 4000 tonnes of cherries were exported overseas this season - the majority from Central Otago, where the weather has been favourable post Christmas.

Summerfruit NZ chief executive Kate Hellstrom told RNZ this week that the 3800 tonnage was up 7 per cent on the same time last year.

“It’s the biggest year we have had in a number of years,” she said.

Weather challenges had reduced overall export numbers in past years, and this 2023/24 season hasn’t been without issues as well.

Some of the earlier varieties of cherries were affected before Christmas because of heavy rain, particularly in the Teviot Valley, and the season finished mid-January for many.

Clyde Orchards manager Kris Robb said overall the average yields were down on pre-season predictions, “but the overall tonnage for exports was promising for the future.”

He said given the expansion and development of cherries across the wider Central Otago district in recent years, 4000 tonnes was still well short of what was expected in the local industry.

Describing the season as shorter and sharper than previous years, he said the fruit size on his orchard and quality was strong, and the ‘packouts’ were outstanding (the number of cherries being packed for export), compared to what was picked. 

“The market returns were strong so if you weigh that all up.  We worked a lot harder in previous seasons to pack less fruit.”

Meanwhile, 80 tonnes of apricots were being exported this season, up from just 47 tonnes in 2023, with the new Nzsummer varieties experiencing favourable weather conditions in recent weeks.