The Persimmon industry is not only preparing for the start of the 2016
season, it is ensuring their growers are well positioned to maximise production and manage industry growth well into the future.
Persimmons are about to hit the shelves of supermarkets and grocers across the country. The fruit is in season from late February to early June and is full of natural sweetness, high in anti-oxidants, packed with Vitamin C and beta carotene and double the dietary fibre of apples. No wonder persimmons are growing in popularity across Australia!
This is why Brett Guthrey, President of Persimmons Australia Inc, is so excited about the industry. “Persimmons are a delicious fruit and it is encouraging to see consumption in Australia increasing significantly in recent years,” he said.
Originally from China, persimmons have been grown in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. Persimmons were probably first introduced into Australia in the 1850s by Chinese gold miners and small quantities of
astringent varieties were exported in the early 1900s. However it was the introduction of sweet varieties that has driven the growth in the industry.
“Annual production across Australia has increased to approximately 4,000 tonnes with the support of an industry focused, levy funded research and development program,” commented Mr Guthrey.
Around 90 per cent of production in Australia is from sweet persimmon varieties, predominantly “Fuyu” and “Jiro” but there are a several other varieties showing promise.
Persimmons are well suited to the Australian conditions, preferring sub-tropical to mild climates. They are tolerant to heat but do not like extreme cold and are also drought resistant.
Persimmons are grown in most states of Australia, with the bulk of the fruit coming from the south-east corner of Queensland. Other key growing areas include coastal New South Wales, the Goulburn and
Murray Valleys in Victoria and South Australia as well as some areas of the south west corner in Western Australia.
New plantings of Persimmons are increasing significantly, particularly in the southern growing regions of Australia and this has prompted Persimmons Australia Inc to host the Australian Persimmon Industry Field Days & Conference in Barooga, NSW, in the heart of the horticultural region of the Riverina. The two-day industry event on 4th and 5th February offers those interested in growing persimmons the opportunity to see first-hand these expanding production areas.
The Field Day and Conference program has been prepared to bring growers from across Australia together to update them on recent advances in research and management of this autumnal crop and to share their first hand experiences to improve the productivity and quality of the crop.
Mr Guthrey said, “We have gathered a broad selection of presenters to update delegates on the latest persimmon research and how the expected increase in production will boost and extend the export season
into Asia, as well as meeting the increasing demand on the domestic market.”
Amongst the speaker line up is Queenslander David Oag, Principal Horticulturist in Horticulture and Forestry Science group of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, who will give an update on the latest
research and development from the Australian Sweet Persimmon Industry Development Project covering topics such as; postharvest storage, mealybug monitoring and control, varieties and rootstocks.
Fruit fly control is an important issue for the industry. Horticulture Innovation Australia’s Qfly Area-Wide Management Coordinator, Dr Penny Measham, will discuss what is happening on a national level while
I.K.Caldwell’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist, Russell Fox, will give a practical run down on how he is helping Victorian fruit growers actively monitor fruit fly.
The latest trends for innovative marketing of Persimmons will be covered by a team of representatives from the Fresh Produce Group and Horticulture Innovation Australia’s Persimmon Marketing Manager,
Monique Emmi, will deliver details of the 2016 Persimmon Marketing Program funded by industry levies.
“This industry event provides a great opportunity to meet growers – old and new, from all growing regions - as well as interact with world-class researchers, practical agronomists & leading persimmon marketers,”
said Mr Guthrey.
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the persimmon levy and funds from the Australian Government.
Register now for the Australian Persimmon Industry Field Days & Conference and take advantage of the earlybird registration rates by contacting the Persimmons Australia Inc Secretariat on 0407 103 852.
For more information:
Alison Fuss, Secretariat
