Summerfruit Australia are anticipating a good season. Flowering and fruit set has generally been very good and a warm to hot spring and summer is expected which is perfect for high quality summer fruit.
"Volumes are always dependent on the weather conditions. If we don’t have hail storms or other events which negatively impact yield, volumes will increase significantly compared to last season, so a return to volumes of 120,000 tonnes or more," said Charlotte Brunt, Trade Development Manager at Summerfruit Australia.
Peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots are the main summer fruits which are exported to markets such as China, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The total volume of summer fruit produced in Australia last season (ending June 2022) was 116,432t at a value of AUD 338.9m, 15% of this was exported to a value of AUD 79.6m, 66% ($314.0m) went to domestic fresh market and the remaining 19% went for processing according to figures from Hort Innovation statistics handbook 2021-22.
Peaches and nectarines recently gained market access to Vietnam with the first full season of trade in 2021-22 (last year). Vietnam is expected to become an important market for Australian summer fruit.
Fresh peach and nectarine international trade
"We would like access to as many export markets as possible. We do not currently have access to some protocol markets such as South Korea, Japan, USA or New Zealand."
Total production of peaches and nectarines last season was 81,186t at a value of AUD 244.2m. 14% ($52.0m) of this amount was exported, 71% went to the domestic fresh market and 16% to processing. The majority of peaches and nectarines are grown in Victoria (76%). Figures from Hort Innovation statistics handbook 2021-22.
In general, Australian’s like to support farmers and buy locally produced fruit. That is, there are no imports during the period where Australian fruit is on the market from October to April.
Neilsen Home Scan data showed that: “During the domestic season, Summer fruit volume sales declined due to an increase in prices vs prior year. In contrast, during the import season, lower average prices per kg led to higher volume sales in some months. In the past 12 months, price increase, fewer promotions and some quality issues led to a decrease in consumption on the Australian market relative to the previous year.
The volumes of peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums produced are very different. Australian producers span several states (geographical areas) and grow a range of varieties to extend the season which runs from November to early April.
For more information:
Charlotte Brunt
Summerfruit Australia
[email protected]
summerfruit.com.au