Long-time industry advocate and Sunraysia table grape grower John Argiro, has been elected as Chairman of the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) Board.
Mr Argiro previously served as ATGA Deputy Chair from January 2013 to December 2016 and before that was an Executive Delegate on the board from January 2008 to December 2012. He is also currently president of the Sunraysia Table Grape Association.
John Argiro, newly elected Chairman of the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) Board.
“It is an exciting time for the industry and I believe in the next five years we’ll see significant development and redevelopment with new plantings, the likes of what we are now seeing in the Sunraysia region and in places like Alice Springs,” said Mr Argiro.
“In recent years the industry has seen an increase in exports to Japan, South Korea and China,” said Mr Argiro.
Mr Argiro states that such exports have been instrumental in increasing Australia’s market share.
“In 2011 the industry exported 30,000 tonnes of grapes, worth $80 million. In 2017 the industry exported 110,0000 tonnes, worth $377 million. That’s an increase of over three hundred percent,” said Mr Argiro.
Mr Argiro thinks the recent announcement of changes to the China protocol will in effect open new export markets in northern China.
“ATGA is predicating an increase of 20,000 tonnes to China in the next two to three years. This has the potential to be worth an extra $100 million to the industry. Add that to the $377 million the industry is already worth, we’re looking at close to half a billion dollars’ worth of exports,” said Mr Argiro.
“I’ve been in the industry for over thirty years now and in that time, I’ve seen enormous growth and change, but this really is a game changer.
Mr Argiro sees several priorities for the table grape industry.
“I’m keen to keep championing new market access opportunities, the implementation of standardised maturity testing and making sure us older growers are doing all we can to ensure as an industry, we’ve got a succession plan in place”, said Mr Argiro.
Mr Argiro would also like to see greater collaboration between growers.
“I’m keen to see growers come together as a collective and collaborate with Hort Innovation to seek and determine better outcomes for our industry”, said Mr Argiro.
For more information:
Jeff Scott
Australia Table Grape Association
Mob: +61 417 122 086