Coriander is a year-round product at Thorndon Park Produce in Grawler River, South Australia. "We find that in winter and harder-to-grow conditions is when our demand picks up," said Anthony De Ieso from the company. "Unfortunately, due to the ease of coriander's growth, it is a product that floods the market. In easier-to-grow conditions such as spring and summer, there are higher volumes to compete with; therefore, we see lower numbers, so winter supply is our main focus."
Thorndon Park has a steady supply to cover roughly 2000 bunches ordered each day, with extra being planted for winter when demand is greater.
© ThorndonPark
Floor manager Ngim with the coriander
All of the coriander is grown in the open field. "This brings challenges with coriander varieties, and we have to make sure we use the right seed for different times of year, such as slow bolting for summer. For minimum production, we always have a quarter of an HA ready to be harvested with a following quarter to be picked the following week. This increases in winter upon demand and customer requests.
"It is now the time of the year when demand is average. Due to the amount being grown and the speed at which coriander grows when it's warmer, we find the market gets flooded with cheaper products. However, to balance that, we have a minimum supply base that keeps our crop going.
Thorndon Park supplies retailers, wholesale, and food service customers.
"Would we export? Anything is possible, but logistics need to be on point. Coriander is temperamental post-harvest and requires the right temperatures. Right now, we send our coriander across Australia, but if an overseas exporter wants to have a discussion, my phone is always on."
For more information:
Anthony De Ieso
Thorndon Park Produce
Tel.: +61 8280 9722
[email protected]
www.thorndonparkproduce.com.au
