Australia: Stone Fruit Annual
Australian cherry production is forecast to increase to 18,000 metric tons (MT) in 2018/19, up 12.5 percent from the previous year. Exports are expected to grow to 7,000 MT in 2018/19 compared to 5,000 MT a year earlier as mainland cherries have improved access into the Chinese market. Production of peaches and nectarines is forecast at 94,000 MT in 2018/19, up 2 percent compared to the previous year. Exports of peaches and nectarines are expected to increase to 15,000 MT in 2017/18 due to improved market access into the Chinese market. Counter-seasonal stone fruit imports, mainly from the United States, are forecast to be steady at 3,400 MT in 2018/19, the same as the previous year.
