The 2025 Elimbah CO-OP Pineapple Field Days, scheduled for 24–25 July on the Sunshine Coast, will highlight grower-driven innovation across Australia's pineapple sector, featuring advances in genetics, planting systems, and sustainable farming practices.
The event will bring together pineapple growers, researchers, and supply chain members to discuss challenges facing the industry and share lessons learned from past efforts. A key theme this year is using setbacks as learning opportunities, reflecting the advice of long-time industry agronomist Col Scott, who encouraged growers to treat mistakes as part of the improvement process.
This mindset is evident in several new approaches being trialled across Queensland. One focus is on improving fruit quality through plant selection. Since 2012, a group of growers has worked to refine elite 73-50 pineapple clones. From an initial population of 120 plants, five were selected based on fruit shape, uniformity, plant health, and sucker and slip production. These clones are now being grown across more than 1.5 million plants in Central and Southeast Queensland. Benefits observed include more consistent fruit quality, improved root mass, and greater flexibility in harvest timing.
Alongside genetics, the industry is also re-evaluating farm inputs and planting techniques. Growers are adopting more targeted spray systems aimed at reducing chemical use and minimising runoff into local waterways. In parallel, a prototype pineapple planter is being trialled, with the potential to reduce labour requirements and improve planting efficiency.
The Field Days aim to facilitate open discussion about the evolving needs of the industry, with a practical focus on scalable, research-backed approaches that can support the long-term viability of pineapple production in Australia.
For more information:
Natalie Brady
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers
Tel: +61 (0) 406 387 381
Email: [email protected]
www.qfvg.com.au
