Author: Kira Brown
Media source: APAL – Nets slim defence against flying foxes
NSW apple and cherry growers Bernard (pictured) and Fiona Hall began installing netting 17 years ago to protect against hail, birds and flying foxes.
By Jeanette Severs
Flying foxes are considered keystone species in the Australian landscape. However, they have significant impact on orchards – even with netting. Predation can result in 5-100 per cent production losses.
The urbanisation of coastal towns, supported by clearing of native vegetation, has led to flying foxes looking to orchards for food sources.
In a comprehensive assessment for the 2017 Raymond Terrace Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan, grey-headed and black flying foxes were found throughout eastern Australia, generally within 200km of the coast, and in Tasmania and South Australia. The report cited research showing … read more
Media source ABC News: Growing a business in China: How Australian businesses cracked the Chinese market
“We grow cherries and pack and distribute through our company BiteRiot for 20 growers,” Ms Hall said.
“But we rely upon our partner who has set up distribution over in China.”
Media source: Fresh Plaza – ‘AU: NSW exporters to benefit from regional freight airports plan’
A government plan to provide regional freight airports in NSW would halve the delivery time for produce grown in Orange, according to cherry grower Fiona Hall.
Mrs Hall has welcomed plans announced by deputy premier John Barilaro for an investigation into creating freight terminals.
She said if Orange Regional Airport was chosen it could reduce the time it took to “pick, pack and send” cherries and other fruit from Orange to key south-east Asian markets from 48-72 hours down to 24 hours.
“It is all about the timing of getting to the market before our competitors,” she said.
Currently, trucks take the fruit from the packing and processing shed on her property, Caernarvon, to Sydney airport. She said about 1300 tonnes of cherries were transported across the annual six-week cherry season bound for Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and China. …read more
Media source: Asia Fruit – Australian cherry crop sizes up well
Early forecasts point to solid national crop, with mainland growers sending directly to China via airfreight
As Australia’s early-season cherry harvest gets underway, hopes are high for a record crop.
Cherry Growers Australia president Tom Eastlake said all major production regions were cropping well, with growers on track to surpass the 16,000 tonne mark for the first time.
“The forecast at the moment depends on how bullish you want to be … we would have to be starting this year at a baseline of 20 per cent higher than 15,000 tonnes, so it will be about 18,000 tonnes,” Eastlake told ABC News.
“Assuming we don’t have any adverse weather events come through, I would be reasonably confident we hit that mark.”
Cherry growers in New South Wales are optimistic about crop forecasts, despite the state being in the grips of drought.
By Matthew Jones,
Australia: BiteRiot! preparing to send cherries directly to the Chinese Market
The company produces premium apples and cherries in the Mount Canobolas district, west of Sydney. Owner Fiona Hall says ‘BiteRiot!’ is hoping to airfreight at least three shipments a week, and it will be a major boost not having to go through Hong Kong. BiteRiot! along with partner Vincent Chan of TopFruit have established a distribution facility in Guangzhou and Shanghai to service the e-commerce channels.
Read the full media release: Australia: BiteRiot! preparing to send cherries directly to the Chinese Market