Strong dollar rules out Tassie apple exports

Report: Cameron Wilson
Exports of Tasmanian apples have all been written off this season. The harvest of early varieties started about a week ago, which is slightly earlier than normal due to the dry, hot weather. It's still too early to predict final tonnages, but what is known is that the high Australian dollar is ensuring almost all Tasmanian fruit will be sold domestically.Managing Director of Australian Fruit Marketers David Adams says on the positive side, the crop looks more than acceptable."Quality is very good at the present time, there's no damage out there as far as hail and frost is concerned."Generally speaking, I can see the majority of our fruit being destined for the domestic market. Having said that, I know our company will be undertaking a limited export program, (there's a) possibility that may even be at a cost to our company but I just feel that it's important that we maintain those contacts for the future."
In this report: David Adams, managing director of Australian Fruit Marketers