Australian apple growers reverse a long decline with new plantings
Andrew Smith, a fourth-generation fruit grower in the Huon Valley, this week started planting 10,000 new apple trees while major producer Hansen Orchards is also growing more apples.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal the value of the state’s apple production in the 2015-2016 financial year increased 28 per cent to $45 million.
The new plantings reverse a trend of converting orchards.
“We are planting the new trees with support from Woolworths and to meet the growing demand, especially for organic,” Mr Smith said.
He said his family had been supplying Woolworths with organic produce since 2006.
“Demand has continued to grow significantly with 2012 being a record year,” he said.
Mr Smith, who is also co-founder of Willie Smith organic cider, said he would also be planting another 12ha of cider apple varieties to meet growing demand.
Read more at weeklytimesnow.com.au
