In Australia, different cherry varieties play a crucial role in offering diverse flavours, textures and ripening periods that enhance market appeal and consumer satisfaction. Commercial cherry production is all about producing good quality fruit that meets market demand and customer acceptance in a profitable way.
Having a range of different varieties in the orchard enables growers to extend the harvest season, providing fresh produce from late October through to February. Different varieties can also have varying degrees of resistance to pests, disease and cherry cracking. In Australia, the range of varieties across the different growing regions supports export opportunities, as we can offer cherries at different times throughout the southern hemisphere summer, positioning Australia as a competitive player.
Australian cherry growers typically select varieties for their orchards based on market demand, harvest timing, fruiting characteristics and consumer preferences. Export markets require cherries with firmer fruit, as this helps ensure quality during transportation and meets the high standards of fruit hygiene. Selecting varieties that are well-suited for export provides growers with greater flexibility, as these can be sold in a wider range of markets.
Consumers will often purchase cherries based on sweetness, texture, taste and appearance. Fortunately, global breeding efforts continue to introduce an increasing number of cherry varieties to Australia. However, it is essential to assess how these varieties perform in local conditions and how their qualities, such as flavour, firmness and appearance, align with the specific demands of regional markets.
Specific regional challenges and market access protocols will usually direct cherry variety selection in Australia. Varietal strengths and attributes are aligned to growing conditions, fruit maturity, rainfall, humidity and market channels. Commercial varietal plantings should not be attempted without evidence of suitable performance of both variety and rootstock locally over several years.
On the mainland of Australia, earlier season varieties are becoming more popular, as this allows growers to compete in Asian markets such as Vietnam and China before our other competitors in the southern hemisphere. The relatively mild winters with spring and summer heat allows earlier harvest and shorter fruit development times to be achieved, bringing the season forward and the risk of fruit on trees being exposed to severe weather events. Targeting and achieving later harvest timings requires a mix of late variety and favourable local climate, such as cooler elevations or more southerly location. Varieties with general universal appeal across most areas and market segments include Santina, Lapins, Simone, Sweet Georgia and Regina (see descriptions below).
Key considerations for growers when selecting cherry varieties are:
Rootstock selection has a huge influence on the subsequent growth of a tree, fruit size and quality, vegetative growth and management requirements of an orchard.
Contact your State Association or the National Extension Manager who can assist with more detailed information about market options, regional conditions and fruit maturity to identify cherry varieties most suitable for your area.
This information is provided as a guide for interested parties. It does not include all available cherry varieties in Australia. Your best guide will always be varieties with a track record in the near vicinity, same aspect and soil as your intended block.
A mid-season cherry, Bing are known as a medium to large fruit. The fruit’s skin is glossy, and ranges from maroon to very dark red, almost appearing black. The flavour is sweet and slightly rich and they are suitable both for eating fresh and cooked.
Image: Bing cherries supplied by NSW DPIRD
Lapins are highly regarded, common variety found in all growing regions. The fruit is large and firm and has good resistance to rain-cracking. Lapins flower early and can be a useful polleniser for early flowering varieties. The variety is self-pollinating.
The fruit develops colour early, giving the appearance that maturity is earlier than stated; however, fruit should not be picked until it is mahogany and the flesh becomes coloured around the stone. The Lapins fruit is firm, even under wet conditions, but is susceptible to pitting injury and heat damage in hot conditions.
Image: Lapin cherries supplied by Kevin Dodds, NSW DPIRD.
Regina fruit matures just after Lapins (up to one week later). Its fruit is medium-large, heart-shaped, and highly resistant to rain cracking (reported to be better than Lapins). Regina has a natural branching habit. It flowers late and requires cross-pollination. The flowers are temperature sensitive (particularly to higher temperatures). Regina is a quality cherry that thrives in regions with cooler winters.
Image: Regina cherries supplied by Grahams FactTree
Ron’s Seedling cherries are firm, large and dark red in colour. Suited well to warmer climates, Rons are mid-season fruit available across Australia.
Image: Ron’s Seedling cherries supplied by Grahams FactTree
Santina is a cherry from the famed Canadian Summerland breeding program. It is a self-fertile Stella by Summit cross that blooms mid-season. Fruit is a flattened heart shape, medium size and uniform colour with good firmness. It responds well to gibberellic acid and should be harvested when turning dark red to attain the best size and flavour. Trees are spreading and productive, making it a reliable, quality early-season cherry.
Image: Santina cherries supplied by NSW DPIRD
Simone cherries have a similar flowering time, fruit maturity and appearance to Lapins. The trees have a better branching behaviour than Lapins and young Simone trees are precocious bearers.
Image: Simone cherries supplied by Grahams FactTree
Supreme cherries are an early, large heart‐shaped variety with dark‐red to black skin and deep red flesh. They are one of the easier cherries to pit, making them a popular choice for jam and they have a rich, sweet flavour.
Sweet Georgia is a late maturing Tasmanian selection of Lapins (whole tree mutation). It is very similar in appearance and performance to Lapins, with reports of some resistance to rain cracking. It matures 10–14 days later than Lapins.
Image: Sweet Georgia cherries supplied by NSW DPIRD.
ANFIC is a not-for-profit company providing intellectual property (IP) management, protection and commercialisation services for plant owners/breeders worldwide. Their focus is to provide the best new varieties to commercial growers in Australia.
https://anfic.com.au/varieties/all/stone-fruit/cherry/
Graham’s Factree has been responsible for introducing many new fruiting trees over four generations.
https://www.factree.com.au/default.asp
https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/Cherry-Tree.htm
https://www.flemings.com.au/nurseries/products/fruit-trees.html
Director
Tony Hannaford is a cherry grower from South Australia, producing based predominantly in the Torrens Valley of the Adelaide Hills.
Tony’s family have a long history of orcharding. Tony introduced cherries in 1985 and now has multiple varieties spanning a long season with fruit delivered across Australia and the globe. This is all supported by the latest technology in the packing shed.
Tony has long supported and been active for the cherry industry – having also served on the Cherry Industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel.
Director
Nic Hansen is a fourth-generation cherry grower based in Southern Tasmania and brings deep grower knowledge and long-standing industry involvement to the CGA Board.
Nic grows sweet cherries at Old Beach and is part of Hansen Orchards, one of Tasmania’s largest cherry growing businesses. He has previously represented Tasmania as the State Director on the CGA Board and has served on the HIA Cherry SIAP, contributing to national industry planning and decision-making.
Nic is currently serving his second term as President of Fruit Growers Tasmania. He brings a strong grower perspective, practical experience, and a commitment to effective industry leadership, supporting CGA’s role as the national peak body for Australian cherry growers.
Honorary Treasurer
Grant Piggott has been Chief Executive Officer of Fruit Producers SA, the grower association for cherries in South Australia since 2023 and served as its representative on the Cherry Growers Australia Board from June 2024.
He brings significant experience in finance, strategy and commercial management. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served for 15 years as an elected member in Local Government.
Grant treasures his childhood on a wheat sheep farm in the Upper North of South Australia, still owned by his family. He has maintained links to primary production for almost 30 years of his working career, primarily through his senior management role at the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA.
In his short tenure as industry representative, he has developed a passion for the successful growing and marketing of quality cherries. Grant is convinced of the deserved glamour status of cherries – healthy, photogenic, delicious, easy to eat and inextricably associated with the joy of Summer and Christmas.
Following his involvement as part of the team which guided the change of Cherry Growers Australia to a company limited by guarantee in May 2025, Grant was invited to serve as a Director on the Board in September 2025 and was appointed Treasurer.
Director
Andrew Fairley bio coming soon
Director
Fiona has been an active participant in the cherry industry for 25 years. She was President of NSW Cherry Growers in the past and has served on the cherry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) for past 5 years.
Fiona is currently a board member of Apple & Pear Aust Ltd (APAL) and the FAR (finance, audit and risk) committee for APAL. APAL manage domestic and international brands of produce including Pink Lady® apples. APAL is also the PIB for the 400 plus growers of Australia.
Fiona manages the business activities of BiteRiot, reporting to a board each month. She brings a wealth of experience across corporate governance & strategic planning, finance, business and marketing to the CGA board.
Deputy Chair
Greg Perry brings extensive leadership experience across the cherry industry, infrastructure, and project management, with a strong focus on governance, strategy, and commercial oversight.
Raised in the cherry industry, Greg has a deep understanding of production challenges and the importance of long-term industry sustainability. He is the Managing Director of a project management consultancy, delivering complex infrastructure, development, and operational programs across multiple sectors.
Greg has held senior leadership and board-level roles in both industry and government-aligned organisations, including service on the NSW Cherry Growers Association board and advisory roles supporting strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and investment decision-making. His experience spans financial oversight, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and guiding organisations through periods of structural change.
Greg brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to the CGA Board, with a strong commitment to governance integrity, member representation, and supporting the continued growth and resilience of the Australian cherry industry.
Chair
I grew up on our family farm in Wandin and picked cherries at an early age.
I loved the camaraderie of working with people and still do today. It is a buzz that makes coming to work enjoyable regardless of what you are doing!!
I studied to be a secondary Art and Craft teacher. However, I wanted to work in the industry first so worked in design and sales in the textile industry in Melbourne and Sydney.
Missing the family business in Sydney I returned to the family, cherries, and WandinValley Farms.
In 2007 our family bought the remaining shares in Wandin Valley Farms, and we all became involved in the business.
In 2016 I became the CEO of Wandin Valley Farms.
I am proud of what we do and the industry we are involved in. We produce a product that is fresh, flavorsome, healthy and creates excitement all bundled in with Christmas and Summer!!
Elected to VCA committee 26th October 2009
Elected to President of VCA 17th October 2013
Elected to President of CGA 24th January 2024