Australia has experienced its highest pistachio harvest on record this year, with projections indicating that production will triple in the next eight years. The industry is aiming to expand into new international markets. The majority of Australia's pistachio crops are cultivated along the Murray River in southern New South Wales, north-western Victoria, and South Australia, with many nuts processed at facilities like the newly established multi-million-dollar plant in Robinvale, Victoria.
Unlike the Northern Hemisphere where pistachios are harvested in September, Australian pistachios are harvested from late February to early March. Over the past decade, the industry has expanded from 700 hectares to 3,000 hectares. Chris Joyce, chairman of the Australian Pistachio Growers Association research committee, highlighted the industry's growth, stating, "The crop we produced this year was 4,500 tonnes — exceeding the previous Australian record by 1,000 tonnes." He anticipates that production will double in the next two to three years and then double again in the subsequent four years.
Currently, the industry meets the Australian domestic market's demands but expects to have a surplus soon, prompting a shift towards exploring export options and increasing domestic consumption. Joyce also noted that the pistachio's historic value has attracted growers from other sectors, emphasizing the crop's longevity and profitability compared to other nuts like almonds. Despite global expansions in pistachio plantations, particularly in California and Spain, Joyce remains optimistic about the Australian industry's potential for growth, especially in markets like China and India.
David Crawford, a semi-retired grower and chairman of the Australian Pioneer Pistachio Company, also sees significant potential for expansion in Asian markets. Brendan Sidhu, chairman of the Australian Nut Industry Council and an almond grower who has invested in pistachios, shared his excitement about the industry's prospects, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin's ideal climate for pistachio cultivation.
Source: ABC News