The first cherries to China have been delivered with Orange growers hopeful an international trade dispute will not affect this year's exports.
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Bite Riot's Fiona Hall said clients in China had to seek a different licence for the cherries to enter the country via an alternate port than previously.
"We've already done some trial shipments, last week," she said.
Mrs Hall said growers were hoping this year's export trade would match that of other seasons after the pandemic and the dispute between China and Australia.
"The logistics have been a little bit more complicated," she said.
China has slapped tariffs of up to 200 per cent on Australian wine.
Mrs Hall said this year's crop was looking good after recent rain and wind.
"The good stuff, export quality, will sell well, it will be expensive. About $20-$30 a kilogram," she said.
Mrs Hall said they were looking for staff, particularly packers, to help move the crop.
Anyone interested in the work should apply at the Bite Riot! shed on Canobolas Road in the next two weeks.
She said there would be several weeks work available until Christmas or up to the New Year.
Orange region cherries are also part of a 1000 kilogram-plus load heading to Vietnam this week.
Mrs Hall said the trade deal had been boosted by a federal government program known as Australia's International Flight Assistance Mechanism.
"Without IFAM it would be prohibitively expensive to export this cherry season," she said.
She said it assisted the industry in maintaining market share, staying competitive and maintaining relationships with customers.
Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said additional flights to South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong were planned.
"Our local cherry growers are expecting a bumper season and we want to make sure they can continue to get their high-quality product out into the global market," he said.
"Our growers are renowned internationally for their premium, safe and reliable produce. Each year, NSW alone exports around 1200 tonnes of fresh cherries, worth an estimated $20 million. Cherry growers in the Central West have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with international travel restrictions impacting freight flights and the supply of seasonal farm workers.
"The IFAM has played a critical role in helping to keep our exporters in business and connected to their overseas customers."
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