The summer fruit season is underway in Australia, with all growing regions having had good winters and springs, with Western Australia having a mostly welcome wet spring.
About 70% of Australia's summer fruit growers are based in Victoria, primarily in the Swan Hill and Shepparton/Cobram regions. There are also growers in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania.
"Based on current forecasts and early season harvests, the production volume is expected to be higher than last year," said Jess Byrne, Industry Development Manager at Australian Summerfruit. "We are seeing great-sized fruit coming off the trees with great eating qualities."
© Summerfruit Australia
Normal timing
The timing is up to 10 days later than the previous two seasons, making it in line with a 'normal' season timing.
"For peaches and nectarines, fruit commenced harvest in early season locations three weeks ago. We have also seen low volumes commence from other areas around two weeks ago, and we will see more regions commence harvest in the coming two weeks. We are also seeing early harvest on apricots and plums, with volume increasing mid to late November."
Queensland starts the first harvest for summer fruit; however, there are small pockets of growers having some early harvests across the nation.
"The fruit that has been harvested has been of a good size and eating quality, high in brix. It is early days, but the early season quality is looking exceptional, with great shelf appeal and eating quality.
"Growers will keep producing fruit for as long as nature will let them, but based on history, we will see apricots available in the market through January, and peaches, nectarines, and plums to the end of March.
Market demand
"We saw penetration into the category grow last year on the domestic market, and with the early quality fruit hitting the shelves, we anticipate this growing again this year. Our main export markets are China and Indonesia."
For more information:
Jess Byrne
Summerfruit Australia
Tel: +61 400 192 873
[email protected]
www.summerfruit.com.au
