Australia: Stone Fruit Annual
Australian cherry production is forecast by Post to be 16,000 metric tons in 2016/17. Exports are expected to be stable at 6,000 MT in 2016/17, but to then increase as export markets such as South Korea reduce barriers. Production of peaches and nectarines is forecast to be flat at 90,000 MT in 2016/17 because of low domestic prices and subdued demand. However, the opening of the Chinese market for Australian nectarines in 2017 is expected by Post to boost exports to 13,000 MT in 2016/17. Counter-seasonal stone fruit imports from the United States began in mid-2013. In July 2016, Australia approved access for apricots and hybrids of apricots and other stonefruit from approved Californian counties, which should gradually lead to increased US exports of stonefruit into the Australian market.
