Second bite at the cherry – late start extends season into New Year

South Australians can enjoy fresh, locally grown cherries not only for Christmas this year, but into the New Year as well, with a cooler spring extending the season to mid-January.

An unusually cool and damp spring delayed the ripening of some cherry varieties, especially in the Adelaide Hills, but recent warm weather saw them ripen just in time for Christmas.

Most cherry orchards were able to open last week with many offering Pick-Your-Own experiences, allowing people to pick straight from the tree and take home a box of sweet, juicy cherries.

The later start to the season means there will be strong supply of locally grown cherries in January, making them the perfect summer snack.

Growers in the Adelaide Hills are responsible for about 90 per cent of the state’s cherry’s production, with growers also located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, in the Riverland and in the South East.

South Australia’s cherry industry on average produces approaching 2,000 tonnes of cherries per year, approximately 15% of the national crop with a farmgate value of over $20 million. More than 50 different varieties of cherries are grown in these regions with Merchant, Stella, Lapin, Sweetheart and Simone the most popular.