Sunraysia table grape growers are two weeks behind schedule this year due to mild summer temperatures, but even with the delay growers are reporting that the yields will be good.
Nick Murar, who farms at Red Cliffs, said his harvest was at least a week away.
“Growers in Mildura who have earlier varieties might have started harvesting but I am two weeks behind,” he said.
“It’s been unusually cool.”
Three-quarters of all Australian table grapes are grown in the Sunraysia district. Grower, Jeremy Boyd, said he had started picking just a week ago, but conditions were looking good.
“Signs are looking promising and I’ve heard reports that growers who are harvesting the menindee seedless grape, which is an early variety, are getting the best prices they’ve seen in 10 years,” Mr Boyd said.
“We need about $20 a box to cover the production and the best I’ve heard for menindee seedless grapes was $58 a box, so even if they water down $30-$40 a box that is still good."
While growers aren't too concerned they are hoping for more rain in the coming months to help their crops.
source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
