Asahi makes 50,000 kg Tasmanian raspberry deal

Asahi Beverages will begin using locally sourced Australian raspberries in a range of its products as it purchases 50,000 kg of Tasmanian berries. The company had previously imported the berries for these products from Poland.

The berries will be processed at the Cascade Brewery in Hobart and will be either used locally for Mercury Cider or sent to the Australian mainland for use in cordials, juices and fruit drinks.

The Tasmanian raspberries will be sourced from local grower Westerway Raspberry Farm, located an hour north-west of the state’s capital. It is the largest processing berry grower in Tasmania.

“This deal will enable us to plant more fruit, employ more people, and give greater security and certainty to those Tasmanians we already employ,” said Westerway Raspberry Farm owner Richard Clark.

“We are a family business and take a lot of pride in what we do. By supplying our fruit to a local quality processor at Cascade, it enables us to showcase our berries in the best possible light.

“It means we are not compromising on the flavour, which is important to us because we take care to grow our berries in the best Tassie soils and use local pristine water to irrigate.”

The berries are being sourced locally as part of Asahi’s commitment to support Australian farmers and due the reliability of the supply. Products made with the raspberries will be available on store shelves later in the year.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/vikidi