The cherries, which were grown in Tasmania, will be part of celebrations for the Korean Lunar New Year.

Minister for Trade Simon Crean, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water David Llewellyn today welcomed the decision by the Republic of Korea to accept imports of fresh sweet cherries from Tasmania.

Mr Burke said Australian cherries had a reputation internationally for being among the best in the world.

It was an export break-through according to Mr Crean and a "major win for Australia and Tasmania".

The win for Tasmanian cherries was part of a collective effort from the Australian and Tasmanian governments, Fruit Growers Tasmania and the Australian horticulture industry, as well as the Republic of Korea government.

Tasmanian industry figures show a production of around 4000 tonnes of cherries in 2008–09 and a projected increase to 7000 tonnes by 2011–12.