Australia Weather News

West Australian cherry growers could benefit from the massive drop in cherries expected to be grown on the east coast of Australia.

Cold weather and prolonged wet conditions in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania have caused Australia's forecast cherry production to halve from initial estimates of 18,000 tonnes.

In contrast, West Australian cherry growers are enjoying a good season.

Former president of the WA Cherry Growers Association Gary Fergusson said if less fruit came into WA from the eastern states, prices for WA cherry growers could rise.

"At the moment our season has been pretty good, that is the winter, we've had plenty of rain and quite enough chill which we don't always get, and the crops are looking in that sense pretty reasonable, in some cases possibly a little bit over cropped," he said.

"I would think that WA stands to benefit from the growers point of view quite well because I think the lead up to Christmas could definitely see a shortage."

Mr Fergusson said WA growers should enjoy higher prices.

"I would think that they can look forward to pretty good prices, but they are always controlled by how much volume is flowing from the east, especially when they try and get into the commercial realm.

"Prices should be pretty solid by virtue of the fact that its going to be an inconsistent supply we would expect.

"You might in a very loose way suggest that you might see a 10 to 15 per cent increase but I couldn't be certain about that in any way."

Much of WA's 300 tonne annual cherry crop is sold at the farm gate, however Mr Fergusson said events this year may see more WA cherries sold on the commercial market.

ABC