A 5kg box of South Australian Riverland cherries was auctioned off for a winning bid of $41,000 at Annual Sydney Cherry Auction.
Renmark cherry-growers, Leon and Maria Cotsaris’ cherries were selected by a committee of business owners within the market as the best first box of the season.
Cherry selection for the auction is based on overall quality, taste and colour and the box sold marks the official start of cherry season.
Mr Cotsaris said: “This is not the first time South Australian, Renmark-grown cherries have been showcased at the annual auction, we are delighted to be selected for fourth time and it fabulous that all proceeds from the auction go to Children’s Muscular Dystrophy.
Not commonly known as a climate for growing cherries, pioneer-cherry grower, Mr Cotsaris, went against the odds in 1993 to embark on his quest to successfully grow cherries in the warmer, sunny climate in Renmark.
Mr Cotsaris said: “The warmer climate of the Riverland, more traditionally known for its citrus and other stone fruit, has been favourable with weather conditions that not only produce cherries early but the quality is exceptional.
“We have had a cold winter which has resulted in this season’s good fruit and hopefully the weather will hold off to allow us to harvest them.
More News
