While peach and nectarine volumes have been way up, with quality fruit appearing on the shelves, the $1.40-$2.20 per kilo price has been a sticking point with growers who are struggling to break even, according to Michael Tripodi, of Redland Orchards. “Quality has been very good this year. There’s been little rain, little extreme weather events,” he confirms. “Volumes are definitely up on last year, and that’s reflected in the price. Prices are pretty low at the moment.”
The season for peaches and nectarines is about one month away from ending, and Mr Tripodi also says that rather than relying on imports, Australians are enjoying some of the ‘cleanest and greenest’ fruit in the world when it comes to major stonefruit crops. As the Apricot season has finished there may be some imported from New Zealand, but by and large people understand the seasonal availability of stonefruit, and choose to buy Australian grown.
One thing that may help to ease the price pressure, and potential over supply, would be direct market access to China, which Mr Tripodi says is currently being negotiated and he ‘hopes it will be signed off on’ within a year. “There has been a bit of export. We’re still negotiating the protocol so we can go direct to China,” he adds.
Statistics on exact volume and size will not be released until the end of the year, Mr Tripodi confirms, however it is already clear that consumers are preferring yellow flesh when it comes to peaches and nectarines. “Traditionally the yellow flesh sells a lot better, however white flesh is becoming more popular. It is quite sweet,” he notes.
For more information
Michael Tripodi
Redland Orchards
Phone: 0418348455
E-mail: michael@redlandorchards.com.au
Website: www.swanhillsummerfruit.com.au