Those of us who have been enjoying some beautiful Australian cherries over summer would be largely unaware of the very significant challenges mainland growers face when it comes to exporting fruit.

Cherry Growers Australia president Tom Eastlake farms in the NSW district of Young and said non-tariff trade barriers had been the most pressing issue for the mainland industry for more than two decades.

He said free trade deals touted as ‘big wins for cherry growers’ had in fact delivered no improvement in market access for mainland growers who faced export restrictions due to pest concerns.

“Those free trade deals didn’t do anything for us,” he said. - Read more of this QLD Country Life article.