Fruit we grow here

Tasmania grows temperate fruit - pome, berries and stone fruit including cherries.

Pome fruit

The apple industry in Tasmania is experiencing a period of rationalisation and diversification. Increasing production costs have resulted in some fruit growers transitioning away from apples and diversifying into other stone fruit or berry production. The pome fruit sub sector still provides an important contribution to the Tasmanian economy, with an estimated farm-gate value of $40 million.

The increasing popularity of cider and perry has seen a growing number of boutique producers operating in Tasmania. The growth in demand and supply of craft and boutique apple and pear ciders has provided diversification options, including cellar doors and cafes, and into value-added and niche produce.

Stone fruit

Strong investment in the cherry industry has seen this subsector rapidly expand with Tasmanian cherry exports in the 2020-21 season up 40 per cent on the previous year, the second largest on record.

Tasmania currently exports cherries to more than 20 countries, the largest market for Tasmanian cherries by volume and value is Hong Kong followed by Vietnam, Taiwan, China and Thailand. These five leading markets accounted for 80 per cent of the cherry exports from Tasmania in 2020-21.

Approximately 57 per cent of Australia’s total cherry exports were from Tasmania in the 2021-22 season, more than all the other states put together. 

Tasmania’s niche for cherries is the top end of premium in overseas markets, where the Tasmanian product is differentiated on the basis of its quality and larger fruit size. Opportunities also exist in the domestic market for premium product. The cherry subsector’s farm-gate value is approximately $70 million.

Aside from cherries, Tasmania still has a relatively small stone-fruit production area but the sector still has a farm-gate value of several million dollars. The focus for most other stone fruit has predominately been on supplying the domestic market, both locally through farm gate sales, and interstate.

Berries

The main varieties of berries grown in Tasmania are blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, which have an estimated combined value of $200 million.

Expansion of the berry industry continued with significant production growth in the Tasmanian berry sector over the past few years, due to substantial investments in large-scale systems, covered cropping, access to new berry varieties, consumer recognition of the product’s health benefits, together with improved quality and greater consistency in supply.

Today, Tasmania is Australia’s biggest producer of raspberries and blackberries, with 28 per cent of national production coming from the State. Tasmania is also the second largest producer of blueberries in the country, and contributes around 5 per cent of national strawberry production.

Tasmania’s main fruit-growing regions

See the map provided below for a guide to Tasmania’s main fruit-growing regions, and download the Tasmanian Seasonal Produce Guide for business details in each region

Each of these regions are also perfect tourist destinations, with rich histories and unique landscapes that truly connect visitors both culturally and emotionally to the State. Find out more on Discover Tasmania.