Passionfruit oversupply despite lack of rain, blistering heat

The Australian passionfruit industry has expanded its growing area to ensure consistent supply, and manage periods of undersupply when the price can spike. “Due to changeable growing conditions the passionfruit industry has expanded its growing regions through Northern New South Wales and Queensland to make sure there is a consistent supply of quality passionfruit on the market,” says Jann Bonsall, of Passionfruit Australia Incorporated.

That’s all just as well since growers have reported issues with thunderstorms and rain leading to scarcity in some areas over recent months. “We did have very hot weather early on. Then we had thunder and rain,” notes Keith Paxton, former president of Passionfruit Australia. Ms Bonsall also notes a ‘cool’ start to spring late last year, then lack of rain and blistering heat have affected the passionfruit season.

Despite the early issues with weather, Mr Paxton also says that a lot of farms are starting to have fruit now near his Queensland location. “When we do get heavy supply it can be a problem, we can suffer. Passionfruit is very very available in early summer,” he notes. “Prices are currently falling due to increase in supply so there will be good quality fruit in abundant supply over the next month, making it more affordable for consumers,” adds Ms Bonsall.

Passionfruit is always harvested 12 months of the year, and apart from an existing processing partnership to sell excess fruit for juices and tinned products, Mr Paxton says work is underway to start a project sending irradiated fruit to New Zealand, and to accept irradiated fruit from other locations, to further improve year-round supply.

For more information:
Jann Bonsall
Passionfruit Australia, Inc
Phone: +61754854402
E-mail: admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au
www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au