Australia: Stone Fruit Annual

Stone fruit production in Australia is forecast to increase in marketing year (MY) 2023/24, following two successive seasons affected by unseasonably wet weather, labor shortages at harvest, logistics challenges, and very high costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cherry, and peach and nectarine, production is forecast to increase by 18 and 13 percent, respectively. Weather conditions in MY 2023/24 are expected to support higher production and improved fruit quality. Cherry, and peach and nectarine, exports are expected to increase by 72 and 40 percent, respectively, from a low level.