The Victorian Cherry Industry consists of approximately 100 Growers who have around 800 hectares of cherries in production. Growers are located in 4 main regions

- Goulburn Valley (Tatura, Cobram),

- North East Victoria (Wangaratta, Stanley),

- Central Victoria (Alexandra, Yarck, Strathbogie, Euroa) and

- Southern Victoria (Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Gisborne)

 

Annual Production is around 4,000 tonnes with a value @ $6.50/kg of approx $25-30 million. The crop is expected to rise considerably in the next 5 years as new plantings come into production.

 

The Cherry industry employs an average of 4-6 people per hectare resulting in a working population of between 3000 – 5000 workers (during harvest season). The wages & on-costs paid to these workers amounts to approx $15-18 million annually.

 

Cherry Production Costs including training, pruning, water, fertilizer, pest & weed control and other orchard activities cost growers approx $10,000/ha/year. Annually growers would spend approx $8 million producing their crop

 

In addition to the annual operating costs, it costs around $20,000 - $40,000 per hectare to establish an orchard. To plant and maintain this planting until it comes into production in year 5 or 6 will cost between $60,000 and $120,000. These costs include the cost of the tree, soil preparation, fertilizers, weed control, pest and disease control, installation of irrigation. The amount will vary depending on the planting density of the trees and whether they are planted on trellis.

 

If growers intend to pack their own fruit then it will cost in excess of $1.0 million to purchase and set up their shed & grading equipment

 

Water for irrigation is vital if cherries are to be grown successfully.       

Water returns around $10,000 / Ml in the Northern areas and up to $50,000 / Ml in Southern areas to the Victorian economy.

 

Annually the cherry industry contributes in excess of $60 million to the economy of Victoria