Cherries on top for fruit growers

TASMANIA’S cherry industry is blossoming while other fruits in the state face growing pains.

Around 200 people attended the 2025 Fruit Growers Tasmania industry conference and awards dinner.

For president Nic Hansen it took on a special meaning as his uncle won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Carl Hansen of Hansen Orchards has been involved in apple growing for almost 70 years and is considered a figurehead of the Tasmanian fruit industry.

Nic said he was “richly deserving” of the award.

“He’s done so much for the industry, not only as a leader in the development of his own orchard, but as a chairman and member of many committees over an extended period of time,” Mr Hansen said.

Andrew Smith of R&R Smith and Willie Smith Cider won the Award for Excellence, while Uchitha Godahenges from Costa took out the gong for Young Grower of the Year.

Nic Hansen said the bi-annual conference, held at the Wrest Point, was well-received and attended.

Cherry production in Tasmania remains the strongest sector of the state’s fruit industry.

“We’re capable of growing the large, firm fruit that Asia wants,” Mr Hansen said.

“We’re exporting around 65 per cent of what we grow and then the rest of it goes mostly to Woolworths and Coles,” Mr Hansen said.

He said that apples and stone fruit grown in the state were at a point where production exceeded consumption.

“But that’s an Australia-wide issue that is not just affecting Tasmania,” he said.

“Growers are investing in better varieties and trying to increase production per hectare, which is nothing new, but that’s probably more challenging now than ever.”

The berry sector was also experiencing some obstacles.

“For the first year in a while their production matched consumption, which put pressure on their revenue.

“They’re looking to try and export more fruit over the next year to try and match production a little better so that they don’t get to a point in the domestic market where it’s at maximum consumption.”

Mr Hansen said, despite the challenges, the quality of fruit in Tasmania had not changed.

“We still grow great quality fruit in Tasmania, which is the envy of the world because of our cooler climate with our warm days and cool nights.

“It’s still the best place in the world to grow fruit.

"Our quality is still excellent, we’ve just got to continue to push on the marketing side to get consumers to eat more Tasmanian fruit.”