30 years of promoting fruit celebrated in Australia

The catchphrase “Australia’s Best Fruit Varieties Today … For the Fruit Growers of Tomorrow” describes the marketing ambitions of the Australian Nurserymen’s Fruit Improvement Company Ltd, better known as ANFIC. Formed in 1984, the company recently celebrated its 30th anniversary working with the development of fruit trees by looking back at challenges, successes, and accomplishments.

2015 ANFIC Board of Directors – (L to R) Andrew Shepherd, Victoria; Colin James, Victoria; David Cliffe, New South Wales; Peter Young, Queensland and David Bazzani, Weste.

ANFIC’s journey into unchartered waters started in 1984, a spearhead for future operations by other companies and areas. Plant Varieties Rights was not implemented until 1987. That caused complicated negotiations with international owners and breeders. Limited enforcement of new regulations interfered with nursery owners and led to illegal importation of new varieties of plants by assorted growers, officials, and private companies.

Many founding members weathered the challenges faced over the years because of their belief in ANFIC’s vision. The commitment to sourcing quality rootstocks and varieties for Australian fruit industries was demanding. It involved long stretches of international travel, testing new varieties of plants, and a concentrated effort to catch up on over 20 years of agricultural advancement in other countries as quickly as possible. Plant Quarantine, variety testing, and financial restraints failed to deter the progress towards making ANFIC a significant market player in the fruit industry.

Three phases stand out in the company’s development:

From 1983-1996, Bruce Manchester established company policies, business, and relationships with the some of the top international fruit breeding companies. ANFIC’s pioneer fruit variety, the Royal Gala apple, was imported and began propagation during this time.
From 1996-2002, Bob Wickson added new fruit trees and varieties to the ANFIC portfolio through extensive travel both overseas and throughout Australia.
From 2002 through to today, Dr Gavin Porter, ANFIC Chief Executive Officer, continues to strengthen this foundation. A greater commercial return is being realized through the consolidation of fruit varieties and business. Approximately 1,465 fruit varieties and rootstocks are managed, including avocados, apples, pears, stonefruit and table grapes. 250-300 are sold commercially while 300 have been superseded. The other fruit varieties and rootstocks are undergoing testing prior to introduction into the Australian fruit industries.

Notable changes in international and Australian fruit industries are particularly evident in Intellectual Property Management for new fruit varieties and rootstocks. Nursery and farm challenges like drought and the inability to grow certain types of fruits are offset by experimental trees ready for growers to trial. When one fruit industry falters and others flourish, growers and ANFIC can recover with this farsighted outlook.

The Associated International Group of Nurseries Inc. (AIGN®), an international company based in the state of Washington, USA, is an association of nurseries from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, China, France, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and the USA. Dr Porter is currently the AIGN CEO, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer.

Visit www.anfic.com.au for more information.