However, there's a fine balance between a good yield and an over supply of course and, especially in large retailers, prices weren't all they could have been. Still, every cloud has a silver lining and the lower prices did seem to encourage domestic buying. Simon points out that nearly 70% of Australians ate cherries at least once during the season, with the number of regular purchases also increasing.
Exports were also good, Simon says, despite the challenges of a high dollar. "The Australian cherry industry has recorded its largest ever export result in 2012/13 with 2,890 tonnes exported till the end of February.
"The top three destinations have been Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, accounting for 73% of the totals.
"Other growing markets are Malaysia, UAE, Russia and Europe. Japan and the UK increased substantially off small bases."
Also on the export front were a couple of changes that were either unexpected or didn't pan out exactly as anticipated.
"Losing access to previous markets such as Thailand on 1st January 2012 and not being able to get back in at a critical time in the early season has affected growers.
"There was also an expectation to get into China as a new market and only Tasmania did this season. We are hoping to get back into the Thai market and for other states to enter China in the 2013/14 season."
Despite the limited access the initial exports to the potentially very lucrative market of China were significant, reaching 73 tonnes.
Australia was able to reap the benefits in the country, as in other Asian markets, of a reduced Chilean presence this year.
"After a rain affected season Chilean exports dipped 27.8% to 58,757 tonnes and we were able to capitalise on the reduction."
Overall the season's exports were valued at $131.5 million for the 12 months to end of February 2013.
