Australian pilot will test cherry traceability

Cherry Growers Australia (CGA) and Agriculture Victoria have launched a cherry supply chain traceability pilot that will run for two years from 2022 to 2024.

The pilot – at local producer CherryHill Orchards – will build and protect exports by developing automated and integrated traceability systems that track the product journey from on-farm harvest through to customer. These systems will have the ability to identify product back to a carton or consignment level.

There is a ready market for Australian cherries in Asian markets – particularly in China and Hong Kong around the New Year celebrations. Cherries are a sought-after gift during the holiday period amid strong demand for fresh produce from around the world, but top brands are prone to substitution  and counterfeiting.

"While on-farm traceability is well developed in the cherry industry, it may be a paper-based system and usually ends when cherries enter export countries, preventing Australian producers from tracing their produce and leveraging the value of their brands," said CGA in a statement.

The aims of the pilot include road-testing the traceability technology and implementation of GS1 barcode standards, a communication programme, and will generate a public report on completion.

Technology systems include RFID scanners supplied by RAMP and software from Dialog Information Technology.GS1 traceability standards will be incorporated into the pilot, enhancing the international compatibility of these supply chains for global exports and domestic markets.

"Traceability will enable Australian cherry growers to underpin the provenance, authenticity, food safety and other biosecurity certifications to importing countries, buyers and consumers," said Hugh Molloy, CGA's Treasurer. 

"The traceability information captured in this pilot will underpin the integrity of Australian production systems, enhance our competitiveness in international and domestic markets and facilitate the sharing of our stories from orchard to plate," he added.

The Australian cherry industry is valued at around A$189m ($123m) a year, including exports of A$79.5m. At its peak, Victorian cherry growers exported almost 2,000 tonnes to over 30 countries annually at a value of A$30.8m. 

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