The Tasmanian berry season has been busy for growers, according to Phil Pyke, of Fruit Growers Tasmania. “The berry season this year was in line with the apple and cherry seasons, so it’s been a very large season for berry growers, but we’ve go no idea of tonnage at this time,” he says. “Expansion continues in Tasmania from the large corporations right down to individual growers.”
Strawberries were the largest volume berry crop out of Tasmania, as expected, as they fit in with the national supply chain of larger corporate growers and ensure year-round supply of fresh strawberries, according to Mr Pyke.” Raspberry production is also increasing, and behind them are blueberries.”
In terms of quality and market price the current crops are good, Mr Pyke says, and he also notes that the wetter weather during the summer, which was an issue for cherry growers, was more of a blessing than anything else for blueberry growers.
The fact that there is a market for frozen Tasmanian blueberries and raspberries has also meant that supply and demand were not an issue as they have been in other parts of the country. Demand for domestic frozen berries has increased as consumers seek out Australian produce following the recent Hepatitis A contamination scare from Chinese imported berries. “They already produce frozen berries here for independent supermarkets, not the large chains,” says Mr Pyke. “In saying this we must remember that at least one major supermarket chain does carry Australian frozen blueberries. These products are already out there, we just need to build on that frozen berry market to ensure that customers do have that choice.”
For more information
Phil Pyke, Business Development Manager
Fruit Growers Tasmania
Phone: +61407203318
E-mail: Phil@fruitgrowerstas.com.au
Website: www.fruitgrowerstas.com.au/