The region’s cherry growers have received an early Christmas present following approval of Chinese export protocols.
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While a start date has yet to be announced, cherry growers are pleased that they will soon have access to another international market.
It’s estimated between 20 to 30 cherry growers in Orange could benefit.
Orange NSW Farmers’ branch vice-chairman and cherry grower Peter West said it created new possibilities for cherry growers.
“The hard part of the process is done,” Mr West said.
Mr West said he expected the local industry to expand providing a boost for the economy.
“There’s a positive outlook for the next few seasons.”
Cherry grower Guy Gaeta said it meant producers no longer had to accept prices offered in the domestic market by grocery chains.
“It’s just given us another bargaining tool with the major chains,” Mr Gaeta said.
Mr Gaeta expected supermarket margins would shrink as more money return to cherry growers.
He said it would mean Australian cherries could be available at Chinese markets in two to three days once the Chinese government gazetted the change.
“The Chinese love our fresh food and believe it’s a lot safer than theirs,” he said.
Mr Gaeta said he had planted an extra 3000 cherry trees in anticipation of the export approval.
“There’s not going to be a shortage but supermarkets can’t squeeze us,” he said.
Orange’s NSW Farmers branch chairman Bruce Reynolds said the approval meant growers could export fruit after it was treated with fumigant methyl bromide to stop Queensland fruit fly.
“It’s a big breakthrough,” Mr Reynolds said.
“It takes the pressure off domestic market, it can’t take all the cherries grown in Australia.”
He said Australian cherries were competing against Chilean producers, and the approval meant Orange growers could get their fruit into China before producers from Chile could.
Mr Reynolds said it should lead to better prices for growers.
He said meetings organised by Member for Calare Andrew Gee 18 months ago had helped pave the way to the approval of export protocols.
Mr Reynolds said the several varieties of cherries in Orange which are ready later in the season would be well placed to take advantage of the Chinese New Year.