Australia's cherry exports last season rose a whopping 58% year-on-year, with strong growth in to the Chinese and Hong Kong markets.

Cherry Growers Australia said in total 5,589 metric tons (MT) of fruit was shipped overseas during the 2015-16 campaign, with a total value of AUD$76 million (US$56 million).

Exports to Hong Kong rose 44% to reach 2,247MT, while to China shipments were up 144% at 791MT. Other key markets include Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, the United Arab Emrites and Malaysia.

Small volumes to United States and Canada put these countries back on the list.

"The 2015/16 season has come and gone with excellent results across the country, mainly due to climatic events it was dry, but overall it has been successful with domestic markets holding steady," Cherry Growers Australia CEO Simon Boughey said.

"There should be a levied crop of just over 18,000 tonnes to be confirmed by the end of June 2016."

He also highlighted the need for the industry to forge ahead with commercial market improvement into 8-10 protocol markets with endpoint treatments in the short-term, as well as longer options linked to the Biosecurity Management Framework.

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