AUSTRALIA'S cherry and summer-fruit industries have regained access to the lucrative Thai market following the release of new import conditions that mitigate the risk of fruit fly entering Thailand.
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Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce welcomed the resumption of the trade, which he said represented good news for Australian growers, "with many looking forward to realising the full benefits next season".
"After a three-year wait, we can now start exporting Australian cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums to Thailand," Mr Joyce said.
"There is a record of strong trade relationships and high consumption of quality Australian produce in this market.
"In the 2010-11 season, Thailand was Australia's third largest cherry export market, worth $1.9 million, and I'm confident history will be repeated."
Under the new import protocols, cherries and summer fruits need to be sourced from Australian pest free areas, or undergo cold treatment before arriving in Thailand.
"The Coalition's commitment to realising international trade opportunities and furthering market access, particularly for counter-seasonal exports, is delivering real benefit to Australian growers at the farmgate," Mr Joyce said.
"The cherry industry has moved quickly to take advantage of the recommencement in trade, with eight tonnes of cherries expected to be exported before the end of the current season.
"Summer fruit has a longer season, giving growers more time to get their product into the Thai market before the current season ends, with the first shipments since 2011 now having arrived in Thailand."
Cherry Growers Australia chief executive Simon Boughey said that Thailand's decision to reopen the market was a boost to the long-term export opportunities of the cherry and summer-fruit industries.