The Passion Vine Winter 26

WINTER 2026

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BRISBANE | SYDNEY | BUNDABERG | MAREEBA

Contents Industry Services Manager Report.......................................................................... 2 Workforce Update..................................................................................................... 3 Regional Reports....................................................................................................... 4 Hort Innovation Update: The Future of Industry Investment................................ 6 Passionfruit Marketing Update................................................................................ 8 What's New in the Hort Innovation Grower Dashboard?..................................... 10 Passionfruit Australia Social Media Report........................................................... 11 Member Profile: Inside the Meiers' Success Story................................................ 13 Variety Update: PassionBurst™ Expands its Genetic Pipeline............................. 16 El Niño Outlook: What Growers Need to Know.................................................... 18 Industry Resources ................................................................................................ 21 Passionfruit Field Days & Events............................................................................ 22 Minor Use Permits Poster ..................................................................................... 28 PF22000: National Passionfruit Breeding & Evaluation Program Update.......... 30 Wasted Harvest, Lost Cash: End Food Waste CRC................................................ 34 Growing Together: How JE Tipper Supports Passionfruit Growers.................... 37 Leading a Coordinated Fight Against Fruit Spotting Bugs................................... 41 Research Driving a Healthier Passionfruit Industry............................................. 44 Biosecurity Updates: Fire Ants & Varroa Mite....................................................... 46 Beyond the Soil: Early Insights into Substrate-Grown Passionfruit.................... 48 Cybersecurity on the Farm: Simple Habits That Help Stop Scams .................... 50 AgTech: What’s New and Coming Soon................................................................ 53 Recipe: Matt Golinski’s Passionfruit Meringue Pie............................................... 56

Contact Passionfruit Australia

Administration Enquiries: admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au Member & Grower Enquiries: ism@passionfruitaustralia.org.au Website: www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

DISCLAIMER: The advice and opinions in the articles published in The Passion Vine are essentially those of contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Passionfruit Australian Incorporated, the Editor or Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation). The advice is at the reader’s own risk, and no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the material presented. Inclusion of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product, company or service by Passionfruit Australia Incorporated, the Editor or Hort Innovation.

Hort Innovation and Passionfruit Australia make no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in The Passion Vine. Reliance on any information provided by Hort Innovation or Passionfruit Australia is entirely at your own risk.

Hort Innovation and Passionfruit Australia are not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from any Hort Innovation, Passionfruit Australia or other person’s negligence or otherwise from your use or non-use of The Passion Vine or from reliance on information contained in the material or that Hort Innovation or Passionfruit Australia provides to you by any other means.

Copyright © Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2026. Copyright subsists in The Passion Vine. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) owns the copyright, other than as permitted under the Copyright ACT 1968 (Cth). The Passion Vine (in part or as a whole) cannot be reproduced, published, communicated or adapted without the prior written consent of Hort Innovation.

Any request or enquiry to use The Passion Vine should be addressed to: Level 15, 141 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia E: communications@horticulture.com.au P: 02 8295 2300 Wherever you see this logo, the initiative is part of the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund.

Like this publication itself, it has been funded by Hort Innovation using the passionfruit levy and, in the case of R&D, with contributions from the Australian Government.

Some projects also involve funding from additional sources.

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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Industry Services Manager Report Hanna Millard

Connections Across the horticulture industry, we have seen a rise in economic challenges this past year. Please keep checking the Passiflora e-newsletter for updates, grants and resources to help guide you through these challenging times.

We have also started a WhatsApp group for Passionfruit Growers. Please contact me to be added. As our industry is so geographically diverse, this platform will give growers a chance to introduce themselves and connect with one another. This is a safe space forum for growers to connect and share any issues or information with each other.

Our recent Field Days have focused on showcasing our new breeding program, which is on track for completion in the new year. Planning is now underway for our next Field Day in North Queensland, where we hope to collaborate with other tropical horticultural industries.

By bringing multiple industries together, we can attract a broader range of industry experts, maximise attendance, share costs, and create greater opportunities to exchange knowledge and ideas.

We encourage everyone to consider attending. These events play an important role in strengthening our industry, fostering valuable connections, and supporting the continued growth and development of the passionfruit industry.

Renewed Communications Program In August 2025, Passionfruit Australia was successful in securing a new five-year communications program following a tender process. The program extends Passionfruit Australia's role in delivering industry communications for a further five years. The new project, ‘Passionfruit industry communications and extension program (PF24001)’ is a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund.

The completed PF22001 project ended in August 2025.

It delivered a comprehensive communications program, including three annual industry magazines, 18 bi-monthly e-newsletters, six field days, a joint field day with

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Custard Apples Australia, as well as regular updates to the Passionfruit Australia website and Facebook page.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our growers and industry stakeholders who have generously contributed their time, knowledge, and support to our field days and farm events. Your willingness to give back to the industry is greatly appreciated and is instrumental in collaboration, sharing valuable expertise, and driving the continued growth and success of the Australian passionfruit industry.

The new five-year communications program, PF24001, will continue to provide these key communication activities, ensuring growers remain informed and connected to the latest industry news, research and development outcomes, and extension activities. Program delivery and performance will be reviewed twice annually to ensure objectives continue to meet industry needs.

For more information from Hort Innovation about what your levy is being invested in, visit www.horticulture.com.au/ Growers/Industries/Passionfruit-Fund. You can also access all the information regarding the Passionfruit industry via our website: www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au .

The website also contains link to older magazine publications, newsletters and industry resources.

Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) Following extensive industry consultation and support, Passionfruit Australia has submitted the proposal for changes to the passionfruit levy funds allocation to incorporate biosecurity levies to the Minister’s office. The original proposed commencement date was 1 July 2026.

Subject to the Minister’s approval, the changes will now be implemented on 1 October 2026.

As we look ahead to the second half of 2026, we wish everyone across the industry a successful and rewarding season. Thank you for your ongoing support, dedication, and commitment to strengthening the Australian passionfruit industry. We look forward to working together in the year ahead.

Workforce Updates Hanna Millard

Payday Super Payday Super (from 1 July 2026) introduces major changes to how employers calculate, pay, and report superannuation: Super must be paid on payday, at the same time as wages, instead of monthly or quarterly.

All payments must be received within 7 Business days of the wage payment and are calculated at 12% of qualifying earnings (QE), which includes ordinary time earnings plus additional amounts such as salary sacrifice.

Your obligation is to report both QE and super through Single Touch Payroll (STP). With these changes come Late payments penalties. These will incur stricter rules such as daily compounding interest to be fixed at 25% or 50% of unpaid amounts.

Minimum Wage increase The National Minimum Wage applies to employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage will increase to: • $1,004.90 per week, or • $26.44 per hour (casual rate has a loading of 25% $30.35 – entry level) The new minimum wage rates will apply from the first full pay period that starts on or after 1 July 2026.

For example, if your weekly pay period begins on a Wednesday, the new rates will take effect from Wednesday, 1 July 2026.

For workers covered under the Horticultural award [MA000028], please check the Fair Work Website: awards.fairwork.gov.au/MA000028 In the Payguide section you can find a PDF with the award levels and updated rates or use the P.A.C.T. at calculate.fairwork.gov.au

Small Business Super Clearing House This service will close on 1 July 2026, requiring employers to use payroll software or a commercial clearing house.

More information at www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/ super-for-employers/about-payday-super

Fair Work Self Audit Checklist Fair Work Australia has a free Self-Audit checklist for Employers.

Growers can use this interactive tool to check their understanding of workplace rights and responsibilities and identify any areas where they may need additional support. By answering a few simple questions about their workplace practices, users receive tailored information and resources relevant to their business.

The tool is anonymous, with no answers being saved, and covers key topics including the Fair Work system, pay and conditions, labour hire arrangements, record-keeping and payslips, and ending employment. It’s a practical and easy way to help ensure your business is meeting its workplace obligations while accessing the right information when you need it.

Find the Audit checklist at horticulture.fairwork.gov.au/self-audit-checklist

Onboarding and Induction Need help onboarding your new employees?

The Queensland Government's has a checklist to guide the process. Search for "human resources, workplace induction checklist" at www.publications.qld.gov.au

Subscribe to receive email updates at fairwork.gov.au/about-us/contact-us subscribe-to-email-updates For other useful resources that are specific to Horticulture, visit the Horticulture Showcase online at horticulture.fairwork.gov.au

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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Regional Reports Northern Territory: Jason Moon, Northern Territory Tropical Passionfruit January to April is usually our wet season, and normally there isn't a lot of fruit around.

This year was a completely different story. We had the biggest wet season since 1979, and the passionfruit just went ballistic.

NORTHERN TERRITORY DARWIN REGION

In a normal year we'd probably pick around two tonnes during those few months, but this season we harvested an incredible 14 tonnes. That's during what's usually our quietest time of the year, so it definitely kept us on our toes.

Even with all the rain, we were lucky not to have too many disease issues. We had a bit of spider mite, but nothing too serious, and overall, the vines handled the season really well.

The wet weather also gave us the chance to do something different. Instead of using the tractor for our foliar fertiliser sprays, we switched to a drone because the paddocks were just too wet. My son Brad, our new farm manager, and I both got our Remote Pilot Licences, and it's been a real game changer. What used to take us around three hours with the tractor now takes just 45 minutes with the drone. At the moment we're only using it to apply fertiliser, not pesticides, but it's already proving to be a great tool.

Now we're heading into the dry season, when things would normally start to slow down, but the vines are absolutely loaded with flowers, so we're looking forward to another big flush of passionfruit through August and September. If everything goes to plan, it should be another busy few months!

Wide Bay: Sarah & Jason Meiers, Meiers Subtropical Plantation I hope you’re all doing well. Here in Bundaberg, we’ve had one of the best starts to the season for establishing young vines that we’ve seen in many years, thanks to favourable weather conditions and the performance of some promising new varieties.

WIDE BAY BUNDABERG

We are currently in the middle of a strong peak harvest period (mid-May), with excellent fruit quality coming through the packing shed. We expect this supply to continue through until early June.

We have also begun potting up our rootstock in preparation for the planting season later in the year.

Bundaberg experienced flooding in March, with river levels reaching 7.4 metres.

Fortunately, this had little impact on us or on most growers on our side of town.

More recently, we hosted the tropical buying team from Coles for a farm visit and tour.

They were extremely pleased with the four-pack product we are indirectly supplying, particularly noting the benefits of reduced food waste and improved shelf life.

That’s about all there is to report from us in Bundy. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming season!

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Sunshine Coast: Brad & Hanna Millard, Beenham Valley Passions After a challenging summer marked by ongoing issues with fruit colour and fungal disease, the arrival of cooler weather has brought some welcome improvements across our orchard. Fruit colour has improved significantly, and production has remained relatively steady across most varieties despite the seasonal fluctuations.

SUNSHINE COAST

GYMPIE TO GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS

One of the more pleasing outcomes has been the performance of the ‘Swanco’ variety.

Compared with last year, these varieties have shown marked improvements in fruit size, colour, and overall production levels. Some of our other varieties have been more temperamental in response to the changing weather patterns, although overall fruit volumes have remained strong and marketable yields have been encouraging.

The breeding program trial vines continue to perform well, with several selections showing considerable promise. Many of the trial lines are producing fruit with excellent size and quality - what could be described as a “Goldilocks” fruit size: not too large, not too small, but well suited to both growers and consumers. Encouragingly, these selections are also demonstrating good tolerance to disease pressures at this stage, although ongoing evaluation will be required as the season progresses.

As we move further into winter, our focus is on maintaining a consistent production flush before planned replanting later in the year. As sad as it is, I’d love to see a westerly wind and some fine sunny days after a month of wet weather.

Looking ahead, we hope the forecast seasonal conditions are kinder to growers than some of the recent weather events. Nevertheless, we can only hope that the passionfruit gods smile on us all this season and reward our efforts with favourable growing conditions and strong markets!

Northern NSW: Ian & David Constable Hello everyone from a very wet Tweed Valley!

NORTHERN NSW TWEED VALLEY

The past few weeks have certainly tested passionfruit growers, with continuous showers and cooler temperatures making conditions far from ideal. While most growers are still sending fruit to market, volumes remain lower than usual as weather continues to affect production and harvesting opportunities.

On a positive note, the cooler conditions have helped to improve the colour of our ‘Sensation’ fruit, which is encouraging to see. We have managed to get spray applications on between rain events, although the frequent showers have made timing difficult and conditions remain challenging.

There are also some promising signs coming from the breeding program trials. Several of the trial vines are showing good potential at this early stage, and it will be exciting to see how they perform over the coming months. At the same time, we are beginning to see early signs of Fusarium-related vine losses in some blocks, underscoring the ongoing importance of developing more resilient varieties.

While it is still early days, we are hopeful that some of the trial selections may demonstrate improved tolerance or resistance to Fusarium and other production challenges. Despite the difficult season, it is encouraging to see progress being made, and we look forward to seeing what the remainder of the season brings.

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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Connecting passionfruit growers to the future of industry investment Brett Fifield, CEO at Hort Innovation

For many passionfruit growers, the current operating environment is as complex as it has ever been. Rising input costs, climate variability, labour challenges, and shifting market expectations are creating pressure on margins and confidence.

At the same time, the opportunities in Australian horticulture remain strong - if we continue to focus on what matters most on farm.

That is why at Hort Innovation we recently held our first annual Impact Update, a new grower-focused forum designed to connect industry investment directly to on-farm outcomes. Held alongside Hort Connections in June, the inaugural event brought growers together from across commodities and regions to share what is working, learn from each other and explore how investment across research and development, trade and marketing is supporting long-term profitability and resilience.

At its core, Impact Update is about making sure investment shows up where it matters - on farm.

That means supporting better decisions, stronger margins, reduced risk and clearer pathways to market.

For passionfruit growers, these fundamentals are critical. Whether it’s improving productivity, strengthening biosecurity practices, accessing new markets or building demand for fresh produce, the focus is the same: ensuring your business remains viable, competitive, and positioned for the future.

Importantly, Impact Update also took a ‘whole-ofsupply-chain’ view of the industry. Discussions spanned the areas that underpin long-term success: productivity, driving demand and value, biosecurity and risk, and exports and market access.

This connected approach is increasingly important.

Success is not just about production - it’s about ensuring your fruit is valued in the market, that your business is protected from risk, and that you have options when it comes to where and how you sell your product.

We know that staying focused on what delivers value on farm matters. Growers told us clearly that they want practical insights - what is working, where investment is making a difference, and how they can apply those learnings in their own business.

Impact Update is our response to that feedback. It is designed to remove barriers to participation, create space for knowledge exchange, and ensure more growers can access and understand the outcomes of industry investment. Because ultimately, the value of research and development work is only realised when it is adopted on farm.

Looking ahead, staying connected as an industry will be critical. Events like Impact Update create the opportunity to collaborate across regions and commodities, strengthen relationships, and shape future priorities together.

One of the most powerful aspects of the event was hearing directly from growers. Across the agenda, growers shared firsthand experiences of how investments are translating into practical outcomes - better decision-making, improved efficiency and reduced risk in their businesses.

For those who were unable to attend, we are committed to extending the value of the event beyond the room.

More on-demand content, including panel discussions and grower insights, will be made available on the Hort Innovation website over the coming weeks. This ensures that all growers, including those in the passionfruit industry, can access the insights shared and apply them in a way that works for their business.

These conversations matter. No two growing businesses are the same, but sharing real-world experience helps cut through theory and gives growers confidence to adopt new approaches that can deliver results.

Because while the challenges are real, so too is the opportunity, and by staying focused, connected and informed, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient future for Australian horticulture.

To find out more about Hort Innovation’s passionfruit investments, head to:

www.horticulture.com.au/Growers/Industries/Passionfruit-Fund 6

Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 24/25 Meet Louise Pavihi Industry Services Manager for Passionfruit at Hort Innovation Louise is a food safety and quality professional who has also developed skills in food production across several other disciplines.

Louise was born and raised on the coast of the UK and studied food science before embarking on a career in food manufacturing of chilled fresh convenience meals. Louise has had a passion for food and horticulture, driven by a childhood centred around fresh food from local fishing and a family market garden.

She moved to Australia to work for OneHarvest who specialise in the processing of packaged salads and vegetables. She started her life in Australia in East Gippsland before moving to Brisbane.

In addition to senior food safety and quality roles, she has also held management positions in commercial / sales, supply chain, people and capability and project management.

Louise joined Hort Innovation in 2025 as Head of Industry Services. Louise especially enjoys getting out and about on farms and learning more about the sector.

For questions about Hort Innovation’s work, please contact: Louise Pavihi | 0448 659 197 Louise.Pavihi@horticulture.com.au

REGISTER TO VIEW



The handbook is the nation’s most comprehensive source of Australian horticulture data. It offers the most up-todate statistics available on more than 75 horticultural products, including fruit, nuts, vegetables, nursery, turf, and cut flowers.

The handbook is now available online via the Hort Innovation HortIQ portal. Hort IQ is the home of trusted consumer and industry insights for Australian horticulture. It has been built for levy payers and value chain stakeholders, and now Hort IQ brings together all the levy-funded research, data and analysis in one secure place to support informed, confident decision making.

The platform houses a growing library of reports, ondemand webinars and interactive dashboards – including the Horticulture Statistics Handbook – all designed to be practical, accessible and easy to use. A new feature coming soon to the handbook is a breakdown of the data by region, providing another level of insight for the industry.

To access the full suite of resources, growers now need to register for a FREE login. You will be required to enter your name, email, phone number, job title, organisation name and postcode. Your access will then be approved, and you’ll receive a login link. Once you have logged in, ensure you set a secure password and bookmark the portal so it’s easy to access whenever you want to access the available insights.

You can register to view the current edition online as well as all the other insights at www.hortiq.com.au/hsh or, to see previous Handbooks in PDF format, visit the Industry Resource Library at bit.ly/PAI-RL and search for ‘stats’.

Passionfruit Marketing Update Hort Innovation

The latest passionfruit marketing campaign launched in June to drive top-of-mind awareness throughout winter and highlight the in-season availability of Australian passionfruit.

The campaign is funded by the Passionfruit Marketing Levy Fund through Hort Innovation.

We are running paid consumer advertising to help keep passionfruit front of mind with shoppers. This includes three new short videos, along with some of our bestperforming existing images and messages.

These ads will appear on Facebook and Instagram, where they will be shown to more consumers through paid promotion. We are also supporting influencer content, so passionfruit is being promoted through both our own branded advertising and trusted social media voices.

The last Back-to-School campaign performed well, which showed us that the current look, message and approach are working. Rather than starting again from scratch, we are building on what has already proven successful to reach more shoppers and encourage stronger interest in passionfruit.

We will keep working with social media influencers who have already done a good job promoting passionfruit and getting strong interest from their audiences.

These influencers will share simple and appealing recipe ideas that show how passionfruit can be used in everyday meals. The focus will be on easy overnight meal prep and warming winter dishes, showing consumers that adding a spoonful of passionfruit can bring extra flavour, freshness and colour to winter food.

At the moment, many Australian households still do not buy passionfruit regularly. That means there is a strong opportunity to grow demand by encouraging more shoppers to put passionfruit in their trolley more often.

The marketing plan is built around the idea that passionfruit can be promoted as a small, affordable treat that makes everyday food feel more special. Even when households are watching their spending, passionfruit gives consumers a way to add strong flavour, colour and enjoyment to meals without needing to spend a lot.

Rather than positioning passionfruit as an expensive or occasional luxury, the campaign presents it as an easy ‘upgrade’ to foods people already eat, such as breakfast bowls, yoghurt, desserts, baking, drinks and winter recipes. This thinking has helped guide the marketing activity, with the focus on showing consumers simple, appealing ways to use passionfruit more often.

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passionfruitaustralia.org.au

Social media influencers

Follow along to see the marketing activity this winter @aussiepassionfruit 47,000 Followers

#aussiepassionfruit

4,000 Followers

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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What's New in the Hort Innovation Grower Dashboard Hanna Millard

Hort Innovation's refreshed Grower Dashboard gives passionfruit growers a clearer view of their industry levy investments.

Hort Innovation has recently launched a refreshed online Grower Dashboard, making it easier than ever for growers to access information about their levy investments and stay up to date with the latest industry developments. Through the Passionfruit Fund section, growers can now easily access information on current and completed research, development and marketing projects, along with industry resources, reports and updates. The new look dashboard has been designed with growers in mind, bringing key information together in one convenient location.

Bookmark the new Dashboard ww.horticulture.com.au/Growers/ w Industries/Passionfruit-Fund

One of the biggest improvements is the ability to easily view projects that are being funded through your levies, and for passionfruit growers, the dashboard is a useful tool for keeping track of projects that directly benefit the industry. Current investments include the National Passionfruit Breeding and Evaluation Program (PF22000), Passionfruit industry communications and extension program (PF24001), market development initiatives and projects focused on improving pest, pollinator and agrichemical management.

Importantly, the new platform makes it easier for growers to see the connection between the levies they pay and the projects being delivered on behalf of the industry. In 2024/25, the Passionfruit Fund invested approximately $129,000 in research and development and $43,000 in marketing initiatives. There were also supporting projects aimed at improving the productivity, profitability and longterm sustainability of the Australian passionfruit industry.

Overall, the refreshed dashboard is a step towards greater transparency and accessibility, giving growers a clearer view of where levy funds are being invested and making it easier to access information that supports the long-term success of their businesses.

Hort Innovation Grower Dashboard

If you haven't explored the new dashboard yet, it's worth taking a look at the range of information and resources now available at your fingertips.

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passionfruitaustralia.org.au

Social Media Report June 2025 to June 2026 Hanna Millard

Our recent Facebook advertising campaigns have delivered strong results, reaching tens of thousands of people and driving excellent engagement across a range of content.

The top-performing reel, highlighting the health benefits of passionfruit, generated more than 30,000 video views, reached 18,200 viewers, and achieved over 19,000 Thru Plays, demonstrating strong audience interest in educational video content. Story and reel promotions also performed well.

A boosted Facebook Story reached more than 22,300 people for a modest $29 investment, while two link-click campaigns encouraged users to visit the Passionfruit Australia website, generating 524 and 517 link clicks, respectively. Another reel promoting Australian passionfruit attracted 143 link clicks, showing continued interest in industry news and seasonal updates.

FOLLOWER GROWTH

418

ENGAGEMENT

214%

Reactions, Comments, Clicks and Shares

TOTAL FOLLOWERS

+276

12,946 60,509

Total Increase

Impressions

3 BEST POSTS

Across all five campaigns, a combined investment of approximately $492 resulted in more than 82,000 views, reaching around 58,500 unique viewers, and generating 1,184 website link clicks. These results highlight the value of targeted social media advertising in raising awareness of Australian passionfruit, engaging consumers, and driving traffic to industry resources.

VIEWS AND COST PER POST CONTENT VIEWS

235K

FOLLOW US

@passionfruitausinc Click Like and Follow Us on Facebook

TOTAL

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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Member Profile:

Where Passionfruit Runs in the Family: Inside the Meiers' Success Story Hanna Millard

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Meiers Subtropical Plantation (MSP) packhouse and farm, where the team was in the middle of packing an impressive haul of more than 30 bins of passionfruit.

Inside the packing shed, a sophisticated grading and packing system was operating at full capacity.

Bin after bin of deep purple, premium-quality fruit moved through the line, a display of the high standards that have become synonymous with the Meiers’ name.

The fruit was clean, free from spot and disease, with excellent size, colour and consistency throughout.

It was difficult to find a fault.

Based in Bundaberg, Queensland, MSP grows just under 200 acres of passionfruit across multiple properties.

The family-owned business is led by Paul and Mary-Anne Meiers, alongside their sons, Jason and Bradley.

With more than 50 years of experience in the passionfruit industry, the Meiers family has established itself as one of Australia's leading producers.

While the business has called Bundaberg home for more than 30 years, its roots trace back to Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, where the family's passionfruitgrowing journey first began.

(L-R) Mary-Anne and Paul Meiers, alongside their sons, Bradley and Jason

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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(L-R) Paul, Jason and Bradley Meiers showing some of the vines brimming with excellent quality fruit

Mary-Anne Meiers and the team working hard in the pack shed to box up 30 bins of spotless passionfruit

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Paul explained, “Moving to Bundaberg was a great decision. Nambour was too unpredictable with the weather, and the lower rainfall in Bundaberg meant we could control what was happening in the vines more effectively. One of the major challenges in Bundaberg, however, is the wind, which passionfruit don’t like.”

As I walked through the shed and across the farm, it became clear that this level of quality is no accident.

Behind every box of fruit is more than 50 years of dedication, innovation and hard work. Supported by a strong family network and a commitment to excellence, the Meiers family has created one of Australia's most respected passionfruit growing operations.

With more than 80,000 vines of passionfruit spread across several locations, the family embodies the very best of successful Australian family farming. What sets MSP apart is its complete control over the production process. Everything is undertaken on-farm, from propagation and rootstock development through to breeding, grafting and commercial production.

The yield from these vines is impressive, with Paul informing me that one vine alone produced approximately 40 L of fruit off the vine over a two-week period.

Trialling vines also comes with challenges; a promising vine, which was an impressive 14 metres long, only produced 50% of “Meiers quality” selections. Currently, they have around 70-80 different selections, which will be trialled in two or three months. Once these are grafted, they can be trialled on a much bigger scale.

Trialling and constant cross-breeding and selection are what Paul says make the farm so successful. He states that most vines only have 5-10 quality breeding years in them before the traits diminish, so constant cross selection and experimentation are what are needed to maintain quality and standards within the farm.

By overseeing every stage of the journey, Paul Meiers and his family have been able to continually refine and improve their passionfruit genetics, producing vines that deliver exceptional performance in the field.

Their commitment to advancement is perhaps best demonstrated in the trial block located on the family property, where more than 2,000 trial vines are currently under evaluation.

"We barely use any pesticides; we rely heavily on integrated pest management. Very little chemical fertiliser is used on-farm, as we prefer to use more organically based fertilisers which are much kinder to the environment and the worms," explains Paul.

Experimenting with new varieties can be both exciting and frustrating. Jason pointed out one standout vine that, at just 18 months old and stretching an impressive 12–14 metres, showed enormous potential.

Yet trialling is never without its challenges. While he had planted a block of around 400 vines from the line, only about 50 per cent performed to the standard he was looking for, with the remainder failing to meet expectations. It's a reminder that plant breeding is rarely a straight path, but each success and failure helps build a better understanding of what makes a productive vine.

It is this combination of experience, innovation and attention to detail that has enabled the Meiers family to remain at the forefront of the Australian passionfruit industry.

While the scale of the operation is impressive, it is the passion behind it, with the willingness to continually improve and invest in the future, that truly makes the business stand out.

All photos credit: Hanna Millard The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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Variety Update: PassionBurst™ Expands Its Genetic Pipeline & Opens New Doors for the Passionfruit Category Article provided by Jetbest Group

The Jetbest OzPash breeding program project has released five exciting new trial varieties for growers in 2026, and the story behind them is bigger than genetics alone. These releases represent two distinct and meaningful opportunities: extending the success of the PassionBurst™ large tropical varieties that growers and retailers already know and trust, while simultaneously opening an entirely new frontier for the passionfruit category through smaller black fruit targeting new consumers and new retail channels.

Two Pathways. One Expanding Category.

Of the five new selections, two are large tropical black passionfruit varieties developed as natural extensions of the current PassionBurst™ commercial range. For growers already producing PassionBurst™ fruit, these varieties will feel familiar, similar in appearance and market positioning to existing commercial selections.

These new varieties also show at this early stage encouraging genetic resistance to some diseases that have been an issue for growers in the past within the passionfruit industry. These varieties are designed to sit alongside the existing PassionBurst™ portfolio, giving retail partners greater confidence in consistent, premium large fruit supply.

The remaining three varieties represent something a little different, and potentially just as significant as the already well known and established PassionBurst™ products in the marketplace.

Jetbest OzPash breeding program partnership

16

passionfruitaustralia.org.au

A Smaller Fruit. A Bigger Opportunity.

Three of the new trial selections are medium black passionfruit, a distinct category addition targeting a consumer and retail segment that the current PassionBurst™ range doesn't directly serve.

Smaller passionfruit formats have long held appeal for single-serve consumption, snacking occasions, and value-added products.

They open conversations with retail buyers about new ranging opportunities, different shelf placement, different pack formats, and access to consumers who may find the large tropical variety less accessible or practical.

For growers, this represents a genuine diversification pathway. Rather than competing in an already-established category space, the medium black varieties offer the chance to pioneer a new segment, within the PassionBurst™ category.

Early assessments of all five varieties have revealed a standout flavour profile: fruit packed with pulp, juice, and the rich tropical taste that has made PassionBurst™ a benchmark for premium Australian passionfruit.

Internal quality has been strong across the board, and cropping potential during initial evaluations is encouraging.

Category Growth Built on Quality What makes this release particularly compelling is the combination of eating quality and commercial potential across both variety types. Premium flavour drives repeat purchase. Repeat purchase builds category loyalty. And a category that can offer both a large tropical premium line and a smaller, accessible product is a category with a much broader retail conversation to be had.

A Reminder on Responsible Trialing John McLeod holding one of each of the new varieties

As with all new variety releases, PassionBurst™ encourages growers to conduct on-farm trials before committing to large-scale commercial plantings. Every property brings its own combination of climate, soil, and management conditions, and comprehensive local evaluation remains the most reliable path to confident commercial decision-making.

The Road Ahead The release of these five varieties reflects the ongoing work of the Jetbest OzPash partnership and a long-term commitment to building a genetic pipeline that doesn't just improve what already exists, it actively expands what's possible.

For growers, that means more tools, more options, and more pathways to profitability. For the category, it means a stronger, broader, and more compelling offer for Australian retailers and consumers alike.

Innovation, quality, and category growth, that's the PassionBurst™ commitment, and with five new varieties now available to trial, and many more exciting new varieties currently being prepared and assessed for release in 2027,

For more information on the program contact: Rod Griffith Group Product Development Manager

The new varieties are a rich deep purple, uniform in colour with great fruit size

mobile web

0429 726 801 www.jetipper.com.au

facebook instagram

Burst Passionfruit burstpassionfruit

Grower Driven, Consumer Focused

All photos credit: Jetbest Group & OzPash The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

17

El Niño outlook: what growers need to know Jane Richter

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is now in an El Niño phase. The latest outlook is already pointing to belowaverage rainfall for much of eastern Australia and warmerthan-average days and nights across most of the country.

Below average rainfall does not mean no rain – just less than usual. These forecasts cannot predict specific events in advance. For example, an east coast low can still bring heavy rain in winter.

What is El Niño?

El Niño is part of the natural El Niño–Southern Oscillation cycle in the Pacific Ocean. During El Niño, warm water shifts towards the central and eastern Pacific, which can change where cloud and rain form. For Australia, this often means an increased chance of: • Lower rainfall, particularly across eastern and southern Australia during winter and spring • Hotter days and warmer nights, increasing crop stress and irrigation demand • More severe heat and fire weather, especially where dry conditions coincide with high fuel loads • A later northern rainfall onset, meaning the wet season may start later than usual in northern Australia El Niño does not guarantee drought everywhere, and local outcomes can be influenced by other climate drivers such as the Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Annular Mode and short-term weather systems.

When was the last similar El Niño?

Australia’s most recent El Niño was 2023–24, classed by the Bureau as moderate to strong for both SOI and sea surface temperatures. It brought very dry conditions in late winter and spring 2023, followed by a wetter summer influenced by other climate drivers and major weather events.

If it becomes a very strong El Niño, the closest recent comparison is 2015–16, when Pacific sea surface temperatures reached very strong levels, and Australia experienced below-average rainfall across several regions, an early start to the southern fire season, a drier northern wet season and prolonged heatwaves.

18

What can growers do now?

1. Check your water position early Review water allocations, dam levels, bore capacity, irrigation licences and likely crop water demand. Build a simple water budget for winter, spring and early summer before conditions tighten.

2. Audit irrigation efficiency Check pumps, filters, lines, drippers, sprinklers, pressure, leaks and scheduling tools. Small inefficiencies become costly when rainfall is low and evaporation is high.

3. Protect soil moisture Use mulch, groundcover, compost, weed control and traffic management to reduce evaporation and protect soil structure.

4. Prioritise crop blocks Identify which blocks or plantings are most valuable, most vulnerable, or least efficient to water. Make decisions early about planting, crop load and input priorities.

5. Prepare for heat and fire risk Review shade, windbreaks, worker heat safety, firebreaks, chemical storage, pump access, backup power and emergency water points.

6. Stay forecast-focused Use the Bureau’s long-range outlooks for your region and update decisions as conditions change. The current forecast is not a certainty, but it is a strong signal to prepare early.

The bottom line is that El Niño is not yet confirmed, but the climate outlook is already pointing towards a hotter, drier risk profile for many growing regions. Preparing now gives growers more options later.

What assistance is available to help growers to prepare for drought?

Western Australia

New South Wales

Queensland

Growers can access Future Drought Fund-backed Farm Business Resilience support delivered through DPIRD and partner organisations, including horticulture-focused programs in both northern and southern WA.

Growers can use the Future Drought Fund-supported Farm Business Resilience Program through NSW DroughtHub. The program provides workshops, tools, coaching, peer learning and farm business planning to help producers manage drought, climate variability and business risk.

The Farm Business Resilience for Horticulture Program, managed

by Growcom provides one-on-one support to assess current farm management practices, identify risks, and develop actions to improve long-term resilience and profitability.

Growers can also participate in the broader Queensland Farm Business Resilience Program, which includes planning around climate forecasts, risk management and innovation.

Assistance centres on identifying business risks, strengthening drought and climate planning, improving decision-making, and developing a tailored Farm Business Resilience Plan. Growers can also connect with the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, which supports practical drought-resilience innovation for horticulture, including work on soil moisture monitoring, irrigation scheduling and water security. www.dpird.wa.gov.au/regionalcommunities/major-projects/ future-drought-fund

For growers preparing for a drier season, the most relevant assistance is help to assess vulnerabilities, improve cashflow and risk planning, and develop a practical drought preparedness plan. NSW horticulture growers can also draw on DPIRD drought guidance for perennial horticultural crops, covering water prioritisation, irrigation decisions and crop management under restricted water availability. www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au/ programs/fbrp

Importantly, a completed Farm Business Resilience Plan can support applications for Drought Preparedness Grants, which provide 25% of eligible capital infrastructure costs, up to $50,000, for investments that improve drought readiness.

Queensland growers may also benefit from FDF-backed Drought Hub activity, including irrigation automation and water-use efficiency trials in northern production regions. www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/ farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/ disaster/drought/assistance/farmbusiness-resilience-program The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

19

Industry Resources Jane Richter

Have you checked out the Resource Library at passionfruitaustralia.org.au?

The website Resource Library houses all available tool and resources that are generated

by Passionfruit Australia, as well as a set of historical resources collected together across all the Australian passionfruit and horticulture industries where these are still relevant – all in one simple searchable digital library at bit.ly/PAI-RL TYPES OF RESOURCES:

INDUSTRY TOOLS The following are available to Australian Passionfruit Growers to purchase directly from the website at bit.ly/PAI-Tools:

50

$

Problem Solver Field Guide

This guide has been written to help growers quickly identify problems that may occur in their passionfruit plantations and provide information on how to manage these problems.

The guide is divided into six sections, colour-coded on the edge of the pages to make it easier to locate the relevant section.

• A ll articles from The Passion Vine magazine from the Spring 2017 edition onwards in downloadable PDF format

93

• The Wholesale Market Specialist for Tropical Fruit • Part of the Jetbest Group • Servicing Brisbane & Sydney Markets

132

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IMMATURE/GREEN

ANY FRUIT WITH THIS DEFECT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR FRESH MARKET SALE

• Linking Experience with a Love of Fresh Produce • We focus on Prompt Payment • Servicing Melbourne Markets, Supermarkets, Independent Retail & Export

Find out more www.jetipper.com.au

Find out more www.tenfarms.com.au

SYDNEY | AIDAN HUTTON | 0419 700 278

WWW.PASSIONFRUITAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU

MELBOURNE | JASON MILES | 0427 248 067

RUB FLY FRUIT

DIRT/LEAF LITTER

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This guide should be used in conjunction with the ‘Passionfruit Problem Solver Field Guide’ which is available for sale at www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

• The Wholesale Market Specialist for Tropical Fruit • Part of the Jetbest Group • Servicing Brisbane & Sydney Markets Find out more www.jetipper.com.au BRISBANE | SEAN RUSSELL | 0418 158 331

SYDNEY | AIDAN HUTTON | 0419 700 278

CLADOSPORIUM SCAB Fruit & flowers

4:1

31/50

/42

t l ud A setim ppa s a ra e llams tops der os t iu r f n

ANTHRACNOSE

MOULDY CALYX

fl srewo BROKEN SKIN

F

& tiur

IMMATURE/GREEN

ANY FRUIT WITH THIS DEFECT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR FRESH MARKET SALE

• Linking Experience with a Love of Fresh Produce • We focus on Prompt Payment • Servicing Melbourne Markets, Supermarkets, Independent Retail & Export Find out more www.tenfarms.com.au MELBOURNE | JASON MILES | 0427 248 067

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

MP 7

s aP ivnois

31/5

0/42

SEPTORIA SPOT

SUNBURN/OIL BURN

THIS PASSIONFRUIT INDUSTRY QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOL IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

Fruit & flowers

or g

ALTERNATA SPOT

WRINKLING

93

GRADE 2

f nw

EXTERNAL BLEMISH

WWW.PASSIONFRUITAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU

45

MELBOURNE | JASON MILES | 0427 248 067

MEALYBUGS

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 38

Brown lesions on petals and sepals

SYDNEY | AIDAN HUTTON | 0419 700 278

llams taht dna snoisel fo sredrob k rad eht eton ,smotpmys ai rotpeS lacipyT sehsimelb regral m rof ot ecselaoc nac snoisel

BRISBANE | SEAN RUSSELL | 0418 158 331

MITES

Cladosporium scab disease

(31.65mm)

,alociroflissap airotpeS yb desuac esaesid suoires dna nommoc A sehctolb nworb thgil poleved tiurf detcefnI .sugnuf en robria na snoisel esehT .)stod kcalb ( seidob gnitiurf llams htiw derevoc revoc ot ecselaoc nac stops laudividni dna sredrob krad evah .tekram hserf eht rof elbatius ton era tiurf detceffA .saera egral

• Linking Experience with a Love of Fresh Produce • We focus on Prompt Payment • Servicing Melbourne Markets, Supermarkets, Independent Retail & Export Find out more www.tenfarms.com.au

74 ddni.slanretnI_ediug dleif revlos melborp tiurfnoissaP_8132

• The Wholesale Market Specialist for Tropical Fruit • Part of the Jetbest Group • Servicing Brisbane & Sydney Markets Find out more www.jetipper.com.au

Fruit & flowers

Mealybug is often concentrated around the fruit stalk

RED SCALE

A common and serious disease caused by Cladosporium oxysporum, an airborne fungus that can infect flowers, fruit, leaves and stems .

Flowers develop brown lesions on petals and sepals . On fruit, small translucent spots develop into hard raised scabs up to 3mm in diameter . Infection is favoured by cool (less than 25°C), wet weather and is therefore a more significant problem in northern NSW and high altitude areas such as Mount Tamborine . Affected fruit are not suitable for the fresh market . Also occurs on the naturalized white passionvine (Passiflora alba), a common weed .

TO SCALE

BROWN SPOT

THIS PASSIONFRUIT INDUSTRY QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOL IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

THRIPS

24/05/13 1:47 PM

Total number of fruit with MAJOR defects must not exceed 10%

Use these standards as a guide, but always pack according to your customer’s specifications

SPOTTING BUG

Hard raised scabs develop on fruit

MAJOR defect has less than 50c coin area affected

24/05/13 1:47 PM

FRUIT BORER

Passionvine and citrus mealybugs The passionvine mealybug, Planococcus pacificus, and the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri, are common and serious pests . Look for small white fluffy lumps on the fruit often clustered around the stalk . The individual mealybugs are around 3 to 4mm long, use a hand lens to help identification . Normally mealybugs will also be found on stems and leaves (see pages 5, 67, 82) when they are present on the fruit . A black sooty mould grows on the honeydew secreted by the mealybug . Ants are often associated with mealybugs, they feed on the honeydew and protect them from predators .

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 45

MAJOR

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 33

All fruit are allowed MINOR defects

38

74

DEFECT SIZE

FRUIT FLY

MP 74:1 31/50/42

NO fruit with skin breaks, immature green fruit, empty fruit or fruit with skin at risk of breakdown in the supply chain

Typical external damage to fruit

74:1

(23.6mm)

No calyx left on the stalk

MP

Do not mix varieties

>35% PULP BY WEIGHT

Eggs in sting site

TO SCALE

33

detc e fn I re stna wofl roja nmer ma fo ec era r n oi t u o s c e fn i

Internal discolouration around stings

CORRECT TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT IS KEY TO EXTENDING THE SHELF LIFE OF PASSIONFRUIT TRANSPORT TRUCKS DO NOT COOL FRUIT: Fruit MUST be pre-cooled to 10-12ºC prior to shipment

tiurF

PANAMA / PANDORA VARIETIES

MINOR

Piece count must be correct

fl &

AUSTRALIAN PASSIONFRUIT COMMON DEFECTS GUIDE

DEFECT SIZE

decn smo avdA tpm ne e r y s g no t iu r f

Total number of fruit with MINOR defects must not exceed 10%

PEST DAMAGE

MINOR defect has less than 10c coin area affected

Fruit size consistent within box & packed to top of carton

FUNGAL DISEASE

GRADE 1

NO fruit with MAJOR defects

srew o

en hT etim sap e ivnois setiM im en u rB ,et vaf yllaus otno t o lapive p sup eretlehs ru tcetorp eh maD neoh e a d i ,sici wni d s u eg setis oc a s af dra ceb yllau os ecalp dnu , 05 i nomm sevael re o edis gnic semo ddsse si t a f m s dna isae o ero uoire mets no dn rehw tiurf aitne ni.selatncreeted yl el sep s uoivb kcehc ot l tnI_ t ss e p fo t s od tub ,s c yb d aehd f r f sa s ideef oissa o ad gn erutam tiu er setim ro ht gnikceh ol mm5 .0 n iug dleif r .tiurfn semitem s si egam evlo ,gn ab e ol ,s alug s me evom euqesbu ht ret fa gn setiM .ylr evael fo kc h a esu os lbor aD a a p tiu s e r ltn n ( f y e d s e e g am u s l a e i e e rfno e r s e nid .ne ap ,d e t sn issa llaus sah g P_8 y tsur .)38 ,6 seg edi pleh o ylno y nees 132 nekat na ruoloc o ehT cfiitn eno n edis era d setim .noita h t fo tsom s y rev era t iu r f e ,llam

AUSTRALIAN PASSIONFRUIT GRADING GUIDE PANAMA / PANDORA VARIETIES

esae esae sid suo ir sid e & flowers ht yb es dnFruit an .seit .nigram desuac ommoc a si eira dek sto tiurf v elbitp aos ret ps ecaf sihT .su r aw , e detc ysae us eht , gnuf en esae effA csus no yll ro rg .tiur s sid t f gni sorca m a dna e aitinI .se bria na , ops pole atan rtne m03 iteir atan c ved r rof n ot pu se nworb av tiurfn etla aira retlA ro o oitce h n fni fo simelb m nat a ht issap di retlA yb rb iw d ecru r os ro of dna e ,ezis d yh ni yll esuaC aice aehn csel jam p .tek a era st aoc sem ip tuoba se ram n era hser anmer itemos st re f eht e ga t rof e wofl de opS s t lbat smo ylraE ius t cefnI tpm y on e s yl ra t iu r l u f n o

05

BRISBANE | SEAN RUSSELL | 0418 158 331

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MP 74:1 31/50/42

PEST DAMAGE

33

EXTERNAL BLEMISH

THIS PASSIONFRUIT INDUSTRY QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOL IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

45

This guide should be used in conjunction with the ‘Passionfruit Problem Solver Field Guide’ which is available for sale at www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

CLADOSPORIUM SCAB Fruit & flowers

BROKEN SKIN

DEFORMED

24/05/13 1:47 PM

Brown lesions on petals and sepals

ANTHRACNOSE

Fruit & flowers

MOULDY CALYX

Cladosporium scab disease

DIRT/LEAF LITTER

53

SUNBURN/OIL BURN

A common and serious disease caused by Cladosporium oxysporum, an airborne fungus that can infect flowers, fruit, leaves and stems .

Flowers develop brown lesions on petals and sepals . On fruit, small translucent spots develop into hard raised scabs up to 3mm in diameter . Infection is favoured by cool (less than 25°C), wet weather and is therefore a more significant problem in northern NSW and high altitude areas such as Mount Tamborine . Affected fruit are not suitable for the fresh market . Also occurs on the naturalized white passionvine (Passiflora alba), a common weed .

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 38

24/05/13 1:47 PM

WRINKLING

MEALYBUGS

Anthracnose disease — preharvest

RUB

Hard raised scabs develop on fruit

WWW.PASSIONFRUITAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU

MELBOURNE | JASON MILES | 0427 248 067

SEPTORIA SPOT

24/05/13 1:47 PM

• Linking Experience with a Love of Fresh Produce • We focus on Prompt Payment • Servicing Melbourne Markets, Supermarkets, Independent Retail & Export Find out more www.tenfarms.com.au

SYDNEY | AIDAN HUTTON | 0419 700 278

Mealybug is often concentrated around the fruit stalk

MITES

24/05/13 1:47 PM

ALTERNATA SPOT

Fruit & flowers

51

• The Wholesale Market Specialist for Tropical Fruit • Part of the Jetbest Group • Servicing Brisbane & Sydney Markets Find out more www.jetipper.com.au BRISBANE | SEAN RUSSELL | 0418 158 331

24/05/13 1:47 PM

3. Click on the ‘Click here’ icon to open the resource item or link

THIS PASSIONFRUIT INDUSTRY QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOL IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

RED SCALE

A common and serious problem caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, an airborne fungus . Infected fruit develop superficial light brown spots which can be larger than 10mm .

The skin of the fruit may become papery with black fruiting bodies (black dots) present .

Affected fruit are not suitable for the fresh market .

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 44

BROWN SPOT

2. You can filter the library by Category OR Document Author OR you can enter a keyword into the Search box to find all items related to that word

THRIPS

A dots and dash scarring pattern develops on mature fruit as a result of thrips damage during early fruit set

(28.65mm)

Use these standards as a guide, but always pack according to your customer’s specifications

SPOTTING BUG

Large parchment like brown spots which often develop small black dots at their centre

TO SCALE

FRUIT BORER

Fruit & flowers

24/05/13 1:47 PM

MAJOR

MAJOR defect has less than 20c coin area affected Total number of fruit with MAJOR defects must not exceed 10%

FRUIT srewoflFLY & tiurF

Passionvine and citrus mealybugs The passionvine mealybug, Planococcus pacificus, and the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri, are common and serious pests . Look for small white fluffy lumps on the fruit often clustered around the stalk . The individual mealybugs are around 3 to 4mm long, use a hand lens to help identification . Normally mealybugs will also be found on stems and leaves (see pages 5, 67, 82) when they are present on the fruit . A black sooty mould grows on the honeydew secreted by the mealybug . Ants are often associated with mealybugs, they feed on the honeydew and protect them from predators .

PURPLE / BLACK VARIETIES

Various species of thrips are pests of passionfruit, occurrence is rare but they can sometimes cause serious damage . Thrips are very small insects less than 1mm long, so use a hand lens to help identification . See page 10 for a picture of thrips .Feeding by thrips scars fruit .

Damage usually occurs during the very early stages of development, soon after fruit set . The scarring does not become apparent until the fruit is more mature .

Symptoms on mature fruit . Less susceptible variety (left), susceptible variety (right)

All fruit are allowed MINOR defects

DEFECT SIZE

38

Thrips

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 53

NO fruit with skin breaks, immature green fruit, empty fruit or fruit with skin at risk of breakdown in the supply chain

44

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 45

Do not mix varieties

CORRECT TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT IS KEY TO EXTENDING THE SHELF LIFE OF PASSIONFRUIT TRANSPORT TRUCKS DO NOT COOL FRUIT: Fruit MUST be pre-cooled to 5-9ºC prior to shipment

AUSTRALIAN PASSIONFRUIT COMMON DEFECTS GUIDE Red scale

(19.41mm)

Red scale, Aonidiella aurantii, is a common pest that can kill vines . They appear as small pale pink to red slightly raised spots, about 1mm diameter, on the fruit surface . Examine fruit under a hand lens to help identification . If fruit are infested red scale will also be present on the stems of the vine (see page 68) . Ants tend these insects, feed on the honeydew they produce and protect them from predators .

No calyx left on the stalk

>35% PULP BY WEIGHT

TO SCALE

40

Piece count must be correct

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 40

MINOR

Fruit size consistent within box & packed to top of carton

Fruit & flowers

DEFECT SIZE

etis gnits ni sggE

MINOR defect has less than 5c coin area affected Total number of fruit with MINOR defects must not exceed 10%

tiu r f ot egamad lan ret xe lacipyT

Fruit with overall solid colour

noitaruolocsid lan retnI s g ni t s d n u o r a

NO fruit with MAJOR defects

33 ddni.slanretnI_ediug dleif revlos melborp tiurfnoissaP_8132

AUSTRALIAN PASSIONFRUIT GRADING GUIDE PURPLE / BLACK VARIETIES

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 51

1. Use this shortcode bit.ly/PAI-RL to open the library directly in your web browser or navigate to passionfruitaustralia.org.au and select RESOURCE LIBRARY from the menu bar

Each pack contains 3 copies of the Grading posters and 3 copies of the Defect posters. They are available for Purple passionfruit and Panama/Pandora passionfruit.

FUNGAL DISEASE

HOW DO I ACCESS THE RESOURCE LIBRARY?

per pack

These A2 sized posters have been developed to help growers quickly identify defects and grade their passionfruit at the time of packing.

GRADE 1

• L inks to related industry websites which provide specialist resources or grower support in areas like irrigation & nutrient management, pest & disease management, business & labour management, and emerging technologies.

40

$

Grading & Defect Posters

GRADE 2

• F actsheets, posters, videos, links to webinar recordings or case studies that have been produced over the last decade in horticulture that have useful information for passionfruit growers

WWW.PASSIONFRUITAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU

21

24/05/13 1:47 PM

Passionfruit Field Days

Passionfruit Events Nambour | 24 October 2025 Regional Field Day & AGM The day was held at the Maroochy Research Facility and commenced with industry experts Patrick Mason and Dr Mo Alam, who shared updates on current progress and future possibilities for the industry.

This was a valuable opportunity to view the latest passionfruit trials and see which varieties were performing well. With Industry approval, the program hopes to release the two varieties by 2027. Farmers can source 3-5 plants from the 2 top trials to test on their own properties.

It was great to walk through the site, look at the science behind the trials, and see the progress in the field.

Our outgoing President Dennis Chant gave us an update on production numbers and the redistribution proposal for our biosecurity levies. The levies have been a topic of much conversation this year with the new proposal to commence in late 2026. He also had the pleasure of delivering the news that our Communications project proposal was accepted and that the new project,

22

passionfruitaustralia.org.au

‘Passionfruit industry communications and extension program (PF24001)’, was contracted by Hort Innovation and will fund our communications program for five years.

After lunch, we held our Annual General Meeting, including the formation of a new committee. With several members stepping down, growers were encouraged to consider nominating for a position and contributing to the future direction of the industry. We are delighted to announce an all-grower committee with Brad Millard and Cynthia Barbagallo rejoining and new members Peter Bambling, Ian Constable and Alicia Bertola.

We also had the chance to meet the breeding team behind all the hard work going into our breeding program, ‘National passionfruit breeding and evaluation program 2022-2027 (PF22000)’ a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund.

You can watch the highlights from the field day presentation on our Passionfruit Australia YouTube channel at bit.ly/PAI-RFD-2025

Growers enjoying some networking over lunch before receiving presentations from various speakers including Patrick Mason from the breeding program team Photos credit: Passionfruit Australia

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

23

Nambour | 3 July 2026

UQ Breeding Variety Showcase & Information Field Day On 3 July, members of the passionfruit industry gathered at the Maroochy Research Facility in Nambour for a tasting session and project update on ‘PF22000 National Passionfruit Breeding and Evaluation Program’, a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund.

The day began with a presentation by Dr Vivian Rincon Florez of The University of Queensland, who provided an overview of her research on Fusarium wilt and chemical resistance in diseases. Dr Vivian is working cooperatively with Dr Mo and Dr Patrick Mason on a project that aims to improve the resilience and productivity of future passionfruit varieties.

Growers interested in trialling these promising selections on their own farms are encouraged to contact Mo, Patrick or Passionfruit Australia. Trial vines are available free of charge, providing an excellent opportunity to contribute to the next generation of Australian passionfruit varieties.

Dr Patrick Mason then shared the significant progress made by the breeding program over the past three years and outlined the next steps as the project moves towards completion. Attendees also gained an appreciation of the extensive network of university collaborators and researchers who have contributed to the program, with expertise across the fields of genetics, plant pathology, sensory evaluation and consumer testing. SEE PAGE 30 for a full update on this project.

One of the highlights of the day was a tasting of eight advanced breeding selections. Participants evaluated each sample using a questionnaire covering external and internal appearance, aroma, acidity, sweetness, mouthfeel and overall commercial appeal.

The feedback collected will play an important role in identifying the traits most valued by industry and consumers, helping to guide future breeding priorities and focus on the highest-performing selections.

The tasting created plenty of discussion, with several varieties emerging as clear favourites.

Following lunch, the group travelled to Keith & Judy Paxton's property at Woombye to view the breeding trials in the field. The vines were heavily laden with fruit, which is a particularly encouraging sight during winter. This provided an excellent demonstration of the progress being achieved through the breeding program.

Variety samples laid out for attendees to rate based on appearance, aroma, acidity, sweetness, mouthfeel and overall commercial appeal

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Part two of the field day involved a visit to Keith & Judy Paxton’s farm at Woombye to see the trial vines

(L-R) Dr Thi Thao Ninh (Research Fellow - Gene Editing at QAAFI) and Dr Mo Alam

ABC Rural reporter Jennifer Nichols getting stuck into a passionfruit taste sample

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(L-R) Growers Brad Millard, Shane Adams, and Tim Johnson, and Rod Griffith (JE Tipper) evaluating the new varieties on show

(L-R) Dr Mo Alam, retiring PAI President Dennis Chant and Dr Patrick Mason

Dr Patrick presenting the details of varieties identified for potential commercial release

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(L-R) Dr Pragya Dhakal Poudel and Dr Vivian Rincon Florez catching a ride with Keith

Early tasting feedback has provided useful preliminary insights into several new UQP passionfruit selections.

UQP8 showed encouraging all-round performance across appearance, eating quality and overall appeal, while UQP5 received positive feedback for internal appearance and aroma.

UQP3 also showed some promising early results, although further assessment will be needed due to the smaller number of responses.

These selections will continue to be evaluated as part of the breeding program to better understand their consistency, fruit quality and potential suitability for industry.

SEE PAGE 30 for more information about how you can access trial vines to test on your farm UQP8 is a promising variety with great external appearance, acid-sweetness balance, aftertaste and mouthfeel

All photos credit: Passionfruit Australia

BENEFITS FROM THE GROUND UP Pre-plant soil fumigation with STRIKE80 is a critical step to ensure that your passion fruit plants get off to a good start.

STRIKE80 is used to manage soilborne pathogens and suppress harmful nematodes. Creating a healthy soil environment prior to planting creates an ideal foundation for healthy root development and vigorous plant growth.

Contact TriCal Australia today to learn more.

08 8347 3838 info@trical.com.au trical.com.au 27

passionfruitaustralia.org.au

FUMIGATION

PARTNERSHIPS

INNOVATION

35 mL per 100 L water

Passionvine Mite & Two-spotted Mite

Passionvine Mite & Two-spotted Mite

Grass & Broadleaf Weeds

Glyphosate

(Miticide)

PER88379 Version 2 31 Dec 2028 Max Use 1 x Season EHD 3 Days

PER13859 Version 4 31 May 2030 N/A Non-Harvest Use Only

PER87164 Version 3 30 Sep 2028

PER12781 Version 4 30 Apr 2028

Max Use 3 x Season EHD 1 Day N/A Postharvest Use Only

Permit & Expiry Date

Earliest Harvest Date(EHD) Withholding Period (WHP)

CURRENT AT JULY 2026

Follow instructions on the permit

Where biological control of Two-spotted Mite is being practiced – 20 mL per 100 L water

40 mL per 100 L water

PER14421 Version 4 31 May 2028 Max Use 1 x Month No WHP*

EHD 1 Day

PER90591 Version 2 31 Jul 2027 Max Use 2 x Season

Etoxazole is not effective as an adulticide treatment, and where large numbers of adults are present, it is recommended that a miticide from a different mode of action (MoA) group be used to control adults immediately.

Follow instructions on the permit

Fenbutatin Oxide

Etoxazole

Dimethoate

Orchard cleanup Fruit Fly host crops following harvest Fruit Fly

Follow instructions on the permit

Post-harvest dip or flood spray Various Fruit Fly species

(Pyraclostrobin)

40 mL per 100 L water or 50 g per 100 L water

Anthracnose & Septoria Spot

Cabrio®

APPLICATION RATE

PEST / DISEASE USE

CHEMICAL

MINOR USE PERMITS

PASSIONFRUIT

20 – 40 mL per 100 L water 40 mL per 100 L water 40 mL per 100 L water 40 mL per 100 L water

Queensland Fruit fly Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Fruit-spotting Bug

SUPPRESSION ONLY: Queensland Fruit Fly Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Mealybugs & Scale Insects

Passionvine Hoppers & Leafhoppers

Trichlorfon

First spray: 250 mL per 100 L water

EHD 7 Days

Min 14 Days between sprays

Max Use 2 x Season

EHD 7 Days

Max Use 4 x Season

No WHP*

SPRAYPHOS® 620 620 g/L product: 160-195 mL per 100 L water AGRI-FOS® 625 625 g/L product: 160-195 mL per 100 L water

Max Use 4 x Per Crop

30 Sep 2027

PER89943 Version 3

PER12450 Version 8 31 Aug 2030

PER87607 Version 2 28 Feb 2029

PER14662 Version 3 31 Mar 2030

All efforts have been made to provide the most current, complete and accurate information on these permits, however we recommend that you confirm the details at the APVMA website portal: portal.apvma.gov.au/permits. If you believe you have had a non-performance or an adverse experience following use under a Minor Use Permit, please report it using the online portal found at portal.apvma.gov.au/aerpexternal/welcome.htm. A ‘non-performance’ is an unintended or unexpected effect on plants, plant products, animals, human beings or the environment, including injury, sensitivity reactions or lack of efficacy associated with the use of an agricultural chemical product(s) when used according to label (or permit) directions.

* when used as directed

(Acetamiprid + Pyriproxyfen)

Trivor® Insecticide

Repeat sprays: 125 mL per 100 L water

Phytophthora Blight

Phosphorous Acid

Max Use 6 x Season No WHP*

AGRI-FOS® 600 600 g/L product: 165-200 mL per 100 L water

AGRI-FOS® SUPA 400 400 g/L product: 250-300 mL per 100 L water

500 mL – 1 L per 100 L water (0.5 – 1% diluent)

Passionvine Mite & Two-spotted Mite

Petroleum & Paraffinic Oil

PF22000 National Passionfruit Breeding & Evaluation Program Update Dr Patrick Mason, Dr Pragya Dhakal Poudel, Mr Bishal Giri and Dr Mobashwer Alam, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland (UQ)

The PF22000 National Passionfruit Breeding and Evaluation Program, funded by Hort Innovation through the passionfruit R&D levy with co-investment from the Australian Government, is now progressing through a major phase of selection, validation and next-generation progeny development. Led by Dr Mobashwer Alam, Project Leader and Principal Breeder, and the QAAFI team at The University of Queensland, the program is rapidly building a national passionfruit varietal pipeline focused on improved fruit quality, reliable field performance, grower suitability and consumer acceptance. In the past year, the program has finalised fruit quality and field evaluations for its first major progeny population, advanced the best 20 selections into new multi-location trials, planted a new generation of progeny at the Maroochy Research Facility, and expanded research capacity across breeding, flavour, field performance and postharvest quality.

Project Timeline: How did we get here?

From program award to a functioning breeding pipeline in under two years

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What has been achieved since the last industry update?

The program has now moved into a much more active phase of selection, validation and next-generation progeny development. In 2025, the team finalised fruit quality and field evaluations for the 2024 stage-1 progeny across Woombye, the Maroochy Research Facility, Beenham Valley and Yandina sites.

From this work, the best 20 stage-1 accessions were selected for further evaluation. These 20 accessions were advanced into 2024 stage-2 multi-location trials at Woombye, Beenham Valley, South Kolan and Northern New South Wales. These trials are now being used to assess whether the strongest selections can maintain fruit quality and field performance across different environments and management systems.

The team also germinated approximately 4,000 seedlings from the 2024 crosses. Around 600 seedlings were planted into the new dual-trellis A block at the Maroochy Research Facility, forming the next major progeny population for selection. In addition, approximately 200 stage-1 progeny from the 2024 progeny cohort have been genotyped, grafted and planted at the Maroochy Research Facility for follow-up phenotyping, with two grafted plants established for each selection. This material will help confirm fruit and field quality before release decisions are made.

This follow-up phenotyping and subsequent genomic analysis will be supported by our team of PhD students.

Our PhD students: Developing an integrated varietal choice pipeline

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(L-R) Bishal Giri, Dr Mo Alam and Dr Patrick Mason visiting Bundaberg in May 2026

Promising trial vines with large, rich purple fruit exterior and good pulp content

Patrick showing off a particularly full fruit from one of the trial vines in May 2026

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All photos credit: Passionfruit Australia

Future work: 2026 and beyond The 2026 season will focus on progressing the program’s most promising material through continued evaluation and validation. The stage-2 multi-location trials will be assessed for fruit quality across all sites, with yield data currently being captured at Woombye and planned for expansion to the broader trial network next year.

The team is also evaluating the new progeny population planted in the dual-trellis A block at the Maroochy Research Facility, alongside approximately 200 grafted 2024 stage-1 progeny. These grafted selections will support more consistent follow-up phenotyping and provide valuable material for detailed fruit quality testing.

In addition, Ananya’s PhD project, supporting benchtop fruit quality evaluation and expert taste testing, will begin in July 2026.

Acknowledgements This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the Passionfruit research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

The PF22000 team acknowledges the many researchers, growers, nurseries and collaborators who continue to support the program. We thank the investigator team, Dr Mobashwer Alam, Professor Bruce Topp, Professor Heather Smyth, Associate Professor Craig Hardner and Associate Professor John Thomas, as well as the wider QAAFI support team, students and collaborators who contribute to the breeding, genomics, fruit quality, postharvest and field evaluation work.

Jim Gordon, Quinten Springham, Jim Walker, Arbour Grove Nursery and Beenham Valley Passions, for their ongoing contribution of land, plant material, knowledge and practical support.

Interested in trialling new selections?

The program is continuing to work closely with industry to evaluate promising new passionfruit selections under commercial growing conditions.

At the recent field day on 3 July 2026, growers and industry partners helped evaluate nine new breeding selections through a tasting and feedback session.

This provided valuable input on fruit quality, appearance, eating experience and potential commercial fit, which we will provide in the next update.

Several growers have already expressed interest in trialling some of the new material on-farm, and we are now seeking additional growers who may be interested in hosting small trial plantings.

Grower participation is essential, as every additional site improves our understanding of how new selections perform across different environments, regions and management systems.

These small trials will help the breeding team assess fruit quality, yield potential, vine performance and commercial suitability before future release decisions are made.

We are particularly interested in growers willing to trial small batches of approximately five plants per selection, with planting targeted for September–October 2026.

The team also sincerely thanks our grower and nursery partners, including Keith and Judith Paxton, Brad and Hanna Millard, Ian and David Constable, Ross Brindley,

Growers interested in participating are encouraged to contact the PF22000 team to discuss available material, trial requirements, and planting options.

Dr Patrick Mason, QAAFI

Dr Mobashwer Alam, QAAFI

mobile email

mobile email

0438 886 534 p.mason1@uq.edu.au

0407 925 991 m.alam@uq.edu.au

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Wasted Harvest, Lost Cash End Food Waste CRC

Australian fruit and vegetable growers are missing out of sales of up to one million tonnes of produce that never makes it to market, estimated at up to $2.5 billion a year.

In response, a new national research program aims to help farmers keep more value from every harvest by tackling surplus and losses on-farm.

Recent data shows that Australian horticulture growers experience average food loss rates of around 20% per farm, with growers often wearing the cost after paying for seed, water, fertiliser, crop protection and labour.

Program lead End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) says food waste represents a significant yet largely invisible economic risk, costing Australia an estimated $36.6 billion annually - around 1.4 per cent of GDP. It is one of the largest avoidable sources of productivity loss in the Australian economy, effectively erasing more than half of Australia’s agricultural GDP. The program will work with growers nationwide and partners across the supply chain to pinpoint where losses happen, test practical ways to lift utilisation, and find commercially viable pathways for surplus and outof-spec produce.

This program ‘Reducing on-farm food waste and unlocking its value for grower profitability and sustainability’ is funded through Hort Innovations Frontiers with co-investment from End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, who research activities are funded by the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research (CRC) Program, Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the University of Queensland.

The program will draw on research, and the consultation with growers, industry and consumers to develop farm-ready tools and evidence-based options to reduce on-farm losses and recover value from surplus and outof-spec produce.

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A key element will be a deep dive into consumer preferences and tolerances regarding product specifications to provide insights for recommendations to help growers sell more produce without undermining customer satisfaction or shifting waste elsewhere in the supply chain.

Montague Farms are industry leaders of food waste reduction and share the opportunities surplus and outof-spec produce offers for farms.

“Just because fruit has a cosmetic defeat doesn’t mean it’s inedible,” said Rowan Little, Head of Product Strategy, Quality and Innovation at Montague Farms, “We’ve reached almost 100% crop utilisation for our apples through secondary markets to cider and juices, and are looking at the same for our plums.”

“If we can unlock value in new markets and sell more from every crop, that’s good for growers and good for the whole supply chain,” said Little.

End Food Waste Australia Director of Research, Development and Extension, Francesca Goodman-Smith says this project offers opportunities for growers to save food and money.

“International trials have shown that growers can increase profitability by up to 20% through food waste reduction,” she said. “When food isn’t sold its not just the food that is wasted, it is also the fertiliser, water, labour and opportunity cost of using that land that is also wasted.”

Anthony Kachenko, General Manager of Production and Sustainability at Hort Innovation said the focus was on improving profitability for growers and strengthening industry viability.

Horticulture Food Waste According to the Horticulture Sector Action Plan for Food Waste Reduction 2024, the Horticulture sector is the third highest (17%) in economic value among agricultural industries, but it is accountable for about 50% of the total volume of food waste in Australia.

Australia loses 18 to 22% of total horticulture production pre-retail, with an estimated loss of $1.72B in fruit and vegetables. Several studies highlighted these issues; however, they did not develop a detailed plan to target and address them. If Australia is to reduce its food waste by half by 2030, it must deal with horticulture food loss and waste.

How can we effectively reduce horticulture food waste?

Find out more at www.endfoodwaste.com.au/sector-action-plans

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“Australian growers produce some of the best horticulture products in the world and work hard to get it to market.

This national program will support our growers by providing practical, commercially realistic tools to maximise value from each harvest.”

The trials are intended to test what works under Australian conditions using data collected from participating farms.

Outputs are expected to include measurement tools and loss-reduction resources backed by on-farm testing, grower training materials and case studies that set out what options work and what they cost.

EFWA also plans market feasibility studies across key commodities to identify commercially viable pathways for surplus and out-of-spec produce, as well as assessments of value-added opportunities such as powders, relishes and other processed uses, and alternative end uses including animal feed and soil amendments.

EFWA said the program would avoid “one-size-fits-all” recommendations, noting what works can vary between commodities, regions and seasons.

Findings will be published in accessible farm-ready formats, including case studies and a dedicated knowledge hub intended to make resources easy for growers to find and apply.

What the program will deliver The program will produce farm-gate focused outputs, including: • Practical measurement and loss-reduction resources supported by extensive research and on-farm trials • Grower training, including case studies showing what works and what it costs • Market feasibility studies to identify commercially viable pathways for surplus and out-of-spec produce across key commodities • Assessment of value-add opportunities, including powders, relishes and other processed uses where viable • Feasibility work for alternative end uses such as animal feed and soil amendments where appropriate • Consumer research on expectations and tolerance around produce, to support strategies that increase utilisation without shifting waste elsewhere in the supply chain

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Get involved Growers and horticulture supply-chain businesses can register interest to take part in on-farm trials, workshops and advisory groups. EFWA said participation will help shape the tools and training and provide early access to practical resources as the program progresses.

Register interest: www.endfoodwaste.com.au/horticulture Watch the video: youtu.be/Rku65yK8wKY

About End Food Waste Australia End Food Waste Australia's vision is an Australia without food waste, starting with halving food waste by 2030. We will end food waste in Australia through research and innovation, industry action, policy development and behaviour change.

We conduct world-leading research through the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, funded by the Australian Government's Department of Industry, Science and Resources. We lead bold and innovative industry action and collaboration through the Australian Food Pact and Sector Action Plans.

End Food Waste Australia has formed one of the world's largest dedicated public-private partnerships of more than 100 organisations focused on addressing Australia's $36.6 billion food waste challenge. Together, we aim to create a more productive, sustainable, and resilient Australian food system by ending food waste and food insecurity.

For more information, please visit: www.endfoodwaste.com.au

Growing Together How JE Tipper Supports Passionfruit Growers from Farm to Market Article provided by JE Tipper

Passionfruit is one of Australia’s most beloved tropical fruits, but growing it commercially is no small undertaking. From nursery to harvest, the crop demands years of investment, careful planning, and an intimate knowledge of market timing before a single piece of fruit reaches a consumer. For growers navigating this complexity, having the right market partner can make all the difference between a profitable season and a missed opportunity.

JE Tipper, operating trading floors at both the Brisbane and Sydney wholesale markets, has been connecting growers with consumers for over 90 years. As part of the Jetbest Group, we offer passionfruit growers something rare in this industry: a genuinely integrated pathway to market, built on trust, and a deep commitment to making every crop count.

Understanding the Reality of Growing Passionfruit Passionfruit has a three-to-five-year growing cycle. From variety selection and nursery propagation through to soil preparation, vine establishment, peak yield and eventual replanting, every stage requires capital commitment long before any return is possible. Year one is labourintensive with low commercial yield; year two represents the critical peak earning window; by year three, inputs increase as plant health declines and replanting begins.

What growers need, above all else, is certainty.

Certainty that their crop will sell. Certainty that they’ll receive a fair price. Certainty that when peak yield arrives, a capable, connected partner is ready to move volume efficiently across every available channel.

That’s exactly what JE Tipper is built to provide.

Multiple Paths to Market — Every Grade, Every Channel One of the most significant challenges for passionfruit growers is whole-of-crop management. Not every piece of fruit grades to retail specification. JE Tipper and the broader Jetbest Group are specifically structured to handle your whole crop: • Trading floors in Brisbane and Sydney wholesale markets provide direct access to the daily trade, ensuring produce is marketed and sold promptly with full price transparency • Relationships with major national retailers, give premium-grade fruit the highest-value placement available • Access to independent supermarkets, green grocers and food service customers across Queensland and NSW, including through our own wholesale and retail network, Beemart • Ripening, storage and repackaging facilities through Jet Direct, managing supply fluctuations and ensuring fruit arrives shelf-ready regardless of harvest timing • Processing and juicing channels for second and third grade fruit, so nothing goes to waste and growers are compensated across their entire volume JE Tipper’s dedicated teams are on the market floor every day, watching pricing trends, understanding buyer demand, and acting in your interest. We provide growers with timely sales advice and weekly price agreements, so there are no surprises. You’ll receive forward-looking demand information, early advice on any quality or market issues, and clear reporting through the process.

Pricing revisions are communicated proactively, not after the fact.

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JE Tipper’s dedicated teams are on the market floor in Brisbane and Sydney every day, watching pricing trends, understanding buyer demand, and acting in your interest.

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All photos credit: JetBest Group

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We also understand the seasonal rhythm of passionfruit demand. Easter, Christmas and summer entertaining represent the three highest-value selling windows for the category. Our retail relationships and category management experience mean your fruit is positioned to capture peak pricing during these critical periods.

On Farm Support and Variety Development Our grower liaison team provides support and advice from seedling to harvest, with expertise across multiple crops and years of practical, on-ground experience.

Through the Jetbest Group, we actively invest in varietal management and new product development, working alongside growers, agronomists and technical experts to maintain variety strength and develop new genetics as existing lines weaken. This isn’t a passive partnership: we’re at the table in research programs, conducting continual varietal trials and sharing knowledge across our network to keep your crops competitive season after season.

We can also support growers with technical certification, quality assurance, people and resource management, all to reduce the administrative burden so you can focus on what you do best.

Managing Regional Supply Variations Australia’s passionfruit industry spans several key production regions, including Far North Queensland, Bundaberg, South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Each region experiences different growing conditions, weather patterns and harvest timings, creating both challenges and opportunities throughout the year.

Seasonal events such as heavy rainfall, prolonged dry periods, frost or severe storms can significantly impact production in one region while leaving another largely unaffected. These regional fluctuations often influence market supply and pricing, creating opportunities for growers who are well positioned to maintain consistent volumes and quality when overall supply is reduced.

With active trading operations in both Brisbane and Sydney, JE Tipper continuously monitors production trends, market movements and buyer demand across the eastern seaboard. This allows us to identify emerging opportunities and strategically place fruit into the markets and channels where demand is strongest, helping growers maximise returns and minimise the impact of regional supply imbalances.

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Our broad market reach also provides greater flexibility during periods of oversupply. When production peaks in one region, fruit can often be redirected through alternative wholesale, retail, food service or processing channels, ensuring growers maintain access to viable markets and reducing the risk of product loss.

By understanding the unique production cycles of each growing region and maintaining strong relationships across multiple sales channels, JE Tipper helps growers navigate seasonal variability and capitalise on market opportunities throughout the year.

A Legacy Built on Grower Trust JE Tipper has been trading fresh produce since the 1930’s, founded at Brisbane’s Roma Street Markets and now operating with 70 staff across Brisbane and Sydney.

Our longevity reflects a consistent, values-driven approach to grower relationships built on support, honesty, and a genuine commitment to mutual success.

We have weathered floods, market shifts and industry disruption alongside our grower partners because we approach every relationship as a long-term investment, not a short-term transaction. When growers invest with confidence, the quality of fruit improves, supply becomes reliable, and consumers keep coming back.

The future of the Australian passionfruit industry will depend on strong collaboration between breeders, growers, marketers and retailers. By combining market intelligence, varietal development, technical support and genuine grower partnerships, JE Tipper aims to help build a sustainable and profitable future for the category for generations to come.

Ready to Talk?

If you’re a passionfruit grower looking for a market agent who will work as hard for your crop as you do, we’d love to hear from you. The first step is a conversation with one of our account managers — no obligation, just an honest discussion about your operation, your volumes, and how we can add value.

Get in touch today!

Aidan Hutton | JE Tipper Sydney | 0419 700 278 Phil Coulston | JE Tipper Brisbane | 0423 004 573

Leading a Coordinated Fight Against Fruit Spotting Bugs Hort Innovation

Fruit spotting bugs are a familiar and frustrating problem for many growers across Australia’s east coast, affecting many horticultural crops including avocado, custard apple, lychee, macadamia, papaya, and passionfruit.

Both adults and nymphs of these pests inflict substantial economic damage by piercing and sucking on developing fruits, shoots, and terminal buds of crop plants. These pests can cause up to 90 per cent crop loss in avocados and over $20 million annual losses in macadamia due to factory rejection.

The good news is that a strong research program is underway to better understand these pests and give growers effective, practical tools to manage them. Through levy funds and Frontiers co-investment, Hort Innovation is leading a multi-pronged approach that brings together universities, technology experts and industry to tackle fruit spotting bugs from several angles at once.

Adult Female

Together, this research is improving how fruit spotting bugs are monitored and managed through better information, smarter tools and longer-term control options.

Agronomist Jarrah Coates from Coates Horticulture in Cooroy Queensland said the 2026 macadamia season has seen high levels of late fruit spotting bug damage.

“This year we have seen high pressure sites struggling with late season fruit spotting bug management. Once macadamia nut shells have hardened, fruit spotting bug populations become very difficult to accurately monitor.”

“The industry has long needed effective monitoring tools for this gap to improve management and returns for growers. Developing effective fruit spotting bug "smart traps" may assist improving late season fruit spotting bug management'

Adult Male Photos credit: Alana Govender

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Smarter monitoring using artificial intelligence A team at Macquarie University, working closely with technology company Elegant Media, is developing a new generation of smart pest traps.

Funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers, Macquarie University’s research is focused on: • Identifying better attractants (lures) for fruit and banana spotting bugs • Improving existing lures by studying plant volatiles that also attract the pests • Developing long lasting lure delivery systems that work reliably in the field At the same time, Elegant Media is building traps that use artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically identify and count spotting bugs caught in traps.

This project combines chemistry, insect behaviour, materials science and field testing. The goal is to give growers accurate, near real-time information about spotting bug numbers, without the need to constantly check traps by hand.

In the longer term, growers could have access to traps that are easier to use, last longer, and may even be monitored remotely. Better trap data will help growers know when spotting bug populations are building and when action is really needed.

More information on the project ‘Using artificial intelligence to develop automated monitoring systems for the banana and fruit spotting bugs (BY23000)’ is available at bit.ly/TPV-BY23000

Unlocking the genetics of spotting bugs Queensland University of Technology is looking at the genetic make-up of fruit spotting bugs. Understanding the genetics of these pests opens the door to new, highly targeted control options in the future. While this work is longer term, it could eventually lead to alternative control tools that reduce reliance on conventional insecticides and fit neatly into IPM systems.

Funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers, this research is: • Building foundational genetic information for fruit and banana spotting bugs • Identifying species-specific genetic targets • Testing control methods based on RNA More information on the project ‘Revolutionising management of fruit and banana spotting bugs through genome empowerment (BY23003)’ is available at bit.ly/TPV-BY23003

Fruit spotting bugs feeding on green fruit shows distinctive markings Photo credit: Jane Richter

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The third, fourth and fifth instars all have a distinctive pair of black spots on their abdomen Photos credit: Alana Govender

Improving traps and “lure and kill” approaches

A coordinated path forward

Through levy investment, the avocado and macadamia industries are working with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to:

Fruit-spotting bugs are a tough pest, but research is building a clearer picture of how they behave and how best to manage them.

• Test new sticky trap materials to improve bug capture and durability • Explore “lure and kill” options that attract bugs and kill them once trapped • Develop a pheromone lure for fruit spotting bug.

Laboratory testing has confirmed that male fruit spotting bugs produce a pheromone that attracts females.

Researchers are now working to identify the exact chemicals involved.

By combining better monitoring, smarter traps, genetic research and integrated management, Hort Innovation is helping lay the groundwork for more reliable, costeffective and sustainable fruit-spotting bug control.

For growers, this means better decisions, fewer unnecessary sprays and stronger protection for crops into the future.

Current Resources

This work aims to deliver more effective traps that not only attract spotting bugs but also hold or kill them once they arrive, improving control and monitoring accuracy.

Visit the resources available at the Passionfruit Australia Resource Library at bit.ly/PAI-RL to find these useful resources

More information on the project ‘Improving fruit and banana spotting bug control (MT21017)’ is available at bit.ly/TPV-MT21017

• Pest Posters Banana & Fruit Spotting Bugs to assist you in identifying this pest • Managing Fruit Spotting Bug article from the Spring 2019 edition of The Passion Vine • NSW DPI Management Guide 2016: Fruit spotting bugs

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Research Driving a Healthier Passionfruit Industry Hanna Millard

Meet Dr Vivian Rincon-Florez

Dr Vivian A. Rincon-Florez is a Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at The University of Queensland. With more than a decade of experience, her research focuses on plant disease management across a range of crops, including macadamias, bananas and orchard systems.

Her work spans pathogen detection, soil health, and studies into disease causes and spread, with the aim of improving crop resilience while reducing reliance on chemical interventions.

More recently, Dr Rincon-Florez has expanded her research into passionfruit production, leading a QAAFI internally funded project supported by the Department of Primary Industries. The project focuses on disease management in Australian passionfruit and is helping to lay the foundations for more resilient varieties capable of withstanding increasing disease pressures.

She is also collaborating with Dr Mobashwer Alam and Dr Patrick Mason to develop disease screening assays that support the existing University of Queensland– industry passionfruit breeding program. These tools will help identify disease-resistant traits and accelerate the development of improved varieties for Australian growers.

Throughout her career, Dr Rincon-Florez has worked closely with growers and industry partners to ensure that her research delivers practical, on-farm outcomes.

Her goal is to provide growers with effective disease management strategies that improve productivity while supporting more sustainable production systems.

One of the major focuses of her current research is the management of Fusarium diseases, including wilt and crown rot, one of the passionfruit industry's most significant diseases. These pathogens can affect roots, trunks, and vines, reducing vine health, fruit quality, and farm profitability.

Research Focus According to Dr Rincon-Florez, effective disease management begins with prevention.

"Start with a clean environment. That applies not only to growers but also to nurseries. Healthy plants begin with clean planting material and good hygiene."

Developing genetic resistance is another key priority.

By breeding varieties with improved disease resistance, growers can reduce production losses while lowering their dependence on chemical controls.

Dr Vivian A. Rincon-Florez Photo credit: Hanna Millard

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Current research is examining disease samples collected from orchards across Australia to determine whether commonly used fungicides across Queensland and Northern New South Wales remain effective or whether pathogens are developing resistance.

Fusarium wilt can destroy entire vines. It is caused by a fungus which infects the plant through the roots and then travels up the plant stem Photo credit: Jay Anderson

The findings will help researchers provide growers with evidence-based recommendations on the most effective products, ideal application timing, and whether chemical applications may no longer provide adequate control.

Dr Rincon-Florez also highlights the important role that growing conditions, orchard layout, irrigation practices and weather play in disease development.

"Seasonal conditions can have a significant influence on disease outbreaks."

By better understanding how environmental conditions affect disease pressure, researchers hope to help growers time their spray programs more effectively, improving disease control while reducing unnecessary chemical applications.

How can growers support the research?

Dr Rincon-Florez is keen to work directly with growers and is currently looking to: • Connect with passionfruit growers to better understand current disease pressures and management practices • Translate research findings into practical, on-farm solutions • Identify the most significant disease threats affecting yield, fruit quality and profitability • Collect disease samples from orchards to strengthen the research database and support the development of disease-resistant varieties

Ultimately, the goal is to give Australian passionfruit growers the tools they need to produce healthier vines, reduce input costs, and build a more resilient and sustainable industry.

If you would like to contribute to this important research or discuss disease issues in your orchard, contact Dr Vivian Rincon-Florez at The University of Queensland Dr Vivian Rincon-Florez | phone 07 3443 2762 | email v.rinconflorez@uq.edu.au

This research is funded by QAAFI/DPI internal project QF-957

The Passion Vine | Winter 2026

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Fire Ants: Stop the Spread Jane Richter

Fire ants remain a serious biosecurity threat for Queensland and northern New South Wales growers.

In 2026, confirmed outlier detections continue to be managed in parts of Queensland, including Toowoomba and the Scenic Rim, while northern NSW has active detections at Tweed Heads South, South Murwillumbah and Wardell. Early reporting is critical.

HOW TO IDENTIFY FIRE ANTS

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT FIRE ANTS

Look closely for:

What to do if you suspect fire ants:

• Small ants, 2–6 mm long, with workers of different sizes in the same nest

1. Do not disturb the nest or try to move soil or plant material nearby

• Copper-brown bodies with a darker abdomen

2. Keep people, pets and livestock away

• Aggressive swarming behaviour if the nest is disturbed

3. Take clear photos or video of the ants and nest from a safe distance

• Painful stings that can burn or itch

4. Record the exact location and any access details

• Nests that look like loose soil mounds or flat disturbed patches, often with no obvious entry hole

5. REPORT IMMEDIATELY: • Queensland: call 13 22 68 (132 ANT) • New South Wales: call 1800 680 244

Fire ants may be found in paddock edges, around irrigation lines, fence posts, sheds, pot plants, mulch, hay, soil and other disturbed ground.

Queensland growers should also check whether their property falls within a fire ant biosecurity zone, as rules may apply when moving soil, mulch, hay, manure, turf, potted plants and similar materials.

These zones are reviewed and updated monthly at www.fireants.org.au/stop/biosecurity-zones

Visit fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) to learn more and join the fight against fire ants Photo credit: National Fire Ant Eradication Program 46

Varroa Mite: Here to Stay Jane Richter

Varroa mite continues to spread across mainland Australia, with detections now recorded in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. Of particular concern in 2026 is the confirmation of a second, genetically distinct Varroa destructor incursion carrying resistance to major synthetic miticide treatments, including pyrethroids and amitraz.

Resistant mites have been recorded in parts of central and northern NSW and southern Queensland, and authorities warn that additional areas may already be affected.

One of the major problems in passionfruit production is obtaining a satisfactory set of fruit. This set can only occur when the abundance of pollinating insects is sufficient to transfer pollen between flowers. According to recommendations from the WA Department of Agriculture in 2005, a density of 2-3 hives per hectare of passionfruit is required.

For passionfruit growers, the key issue is pollination reliability. Passionfruit pollen is heavy and sticky, so fruit set depends on insects or hand pollination. Honey bees are important pollinators, alongside carpenter bees and other insects, and stronger pollination improves fruit set, fruit weight and pulp development.

Varroa weakens honey bee colonies and, if not well managed, can reduce colony strength and increase hive losses. This may place pressure on commercial pollination services over time, particularly as beekeepers face higher monitoring and treatment demands.

What growers can do now • Talk early with your beekeeper about pollination needs, hive availability and hive health expectations for flowering • Support pollinators on-farm by maintaining flowering habitat and avoiding unnecessary insecticide exposure during bloom • Review spray timing carefully and communicate spray plans with beekeepers • Do not move or interfere with hives unless agreed with the beekeeper • Where practical, encourage a diversity of pollinators, including native bees, to help support crop pollination resilience

Useful links • Queensland Varroa mite updates: business.qld.gov.au/varroa-mite • National outbreak update: outbreak.gov.au/current-outbreaks/varroa-mite • Grower pollination resources: varroa.org.au • Passionfruit pollination overview: beeaware.org.au/passionfruit

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Beyond the Soil: Early Insights into Substrate-Grown Passionfruit Jamie Pollen, Protected & Specialty Cropping Agronomist and Field Manager, Garden City Plastics

Passionfruit growers spend much of their time focused on what is happening above the ground – flowering, fruit set, canopy development and yield. Yet the foundation of crop performance lies somewhere far less visible: the root zone.

In traditional soil-based systems, many of the processes occurring around the roots remain hidden. But what happens when the crop is removed from the soil entirely? Can passionfruit thrive in a controlled substrate environment, and could this approach offer growers another option when faced with increasing soil-borne disease pressures?

These were the questions that prompted a passionfruit substrate trial established on the Atherton Tablelands in September 2025. The Atherton Tablelands has long been recognised as one of Australia's premier horticultural

regions. However, like many intensive production areas, growers are increasingly encountering challenges associated with long-term cultivation, including declining soil health and persistent disease pressure.

For passionfruit, one of the most significant challenges is Phytophthora root rot, which can severely impact vine health and productivity and, in some cases, require extended fallow periods before replanting.

Rather than asking how to manage these issues within the soil, this project explored a different question altogether: what if the soil could be removed from the equation?

Each vine was established within a completely contained root-zone system. Plants were grown in 28-litre containers elevated above collection trays and filled with coir-based substrate blends selected to balance water-holding capacity with adequate air-filled porosity. Coir toppers were used to minimise evaporation, limit weed ingress and improve irrigation uniformity.

Jamie Pollen from Garden City Plastics (L) and Joe Ferraro (R) where the trial is being carried out on the Atherton Tablelands.

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The trial plot is laid out with overhead trellising

While the infrastructure itself was relatively straightforward, the real challenge lay in managing the root environment.

One of the most significant differences between soil and substrate production is the loss of buffering capacity. In soil, fluctuations in moisture and nutrient availability occur more gradually. In substrate systems, however, conditions can change rapidly, requiring a more precise and responsive management approach. Irrigation strategies therefore focused on maintaining stable moisture levels while preserving oxygen within the root zone. Water and nutrients were delivered through frequent fertigation events designed to meet plant demand without saturating the substrate. Daily drainage targets of approximately 10–15% were used to minimise salt accumulation and maintain nutrient balance.

Importantly, the trial reinforced that passionfruit take up water more rapidly than they absorb nutrients. Without appropriate drainage, salts can accumulate within the substrate profile, potentially compromising root function and crop performance. Monitoring drainage volumes and comparing irrigation and drainage electrical conductivity (EC) provided valuable insight into how effectively the system was being managed.

The tropical conditions of Far North Queensland provided an immediate stress test for the system. Soon after establishment, the trial entered the wet season, where rainfall effectively became an uncontrolled irrigation event. Irrigation schedules required constant adjustment in response to changing weather patterns, reinforcing that while substrate systems offer greater control, they also require greater management precision.

Despite these challenges, the early observations have been encouraging. The vines established rapidly, displaying vigorous vegetative growth and adapting readily to the substrate environment. The first substantial fruit flush occurred only a few months after planting, demonstrating that passionfruit can perform successfully within well-managed substrate systems.

Several important agronomic lessons have emerged from the trial to date. Firstly, passionfruit appears highly responsive to well-aerated root environments. Secondly, oxygen management and drainage become particularly important under high-rainfall tropical conditions.

Finally, successful substrate production relies on responsive irrigation and fertigation practices supported by regular monitoring and informed decision-making.

While further work is needed to understand the long-term performance, root health implications and commercial scalability of substrate-grown passionfruit, the early findings are encouraging.

Substrate systems are unlikely to replace conventional soil production entirely, nor are they intended to. Rather, they may provide growers with another production tool in situations where traditional systems face increasing constraints.

Ultimately, this trial has reinforced a fundamental agronomic principle: the productivity we see above the ground is largely determined by the environment we create below it. Because while yield is harvested above the ground, it is often built below it.

For more information, please contact Jamie Pollen | 0427 914 228 | jamie.pollen@gardencityplastics.com

All photos credit: Garden City Plastics

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Cybersecurity on the farm: The simple habits that help stop scams Jane Richter

Passionfruit farms are increasingly digital businesses. Email, online banking, payroll, accounting software, cloud storage, farm records, social media and AI tools may all be part of day-to-day operations. That brings efficiency, but it also creates opportunities for scammers and cybercriminals.

The most common attacks do not begin with sophisticated hacking. They often start with a convincing email, text message, phone call, fake invoice or login page designed to make someone act quickly without checking first.

The target may be the business owner, a partner, an office administrator, a casual staff member or even a family member who helps with accounts or online purchases.

The good news is that a few practical habits can greatly reduce the risk.

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Scammers rely on urgency, distraction and trust.

Before clicking a link, sharing information or making a payment:

STOP

pause before acting, especially if the message is trying to create time pressure

CHECK

verify the request using a separate, trusted channel

PROTECT

reject suspicious contact, secure your accounts and report anything that may be a scam This is the core advice promoted by Scamwatch and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

The scams farmers should watch for

The five cyber habits that matter most

1. Fake invoices and changed bank details

1. Turn on multi-factor authentication

A supplier’s email account may be compromised, or a scammer may impersonate a supplier, contractor or adviser and send “updated” bank details. The invoice may look completely genuine.

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, adds a second security step when logging in. It is one of the most important protections for email, banking, accounting software, cloud storage and social media accounts.

Safe practice: Never change payment details based on an email alone. Call the supplier using a phone number you already know or obtain from their official website, not from the message.

Use MFA wherever it is offered. Authenticator apps or security keys are generally stronger than SMS codes.

Never share MFA codes and never approve a login prompt you did not initiate.

2. Phishing emails and texts

2. Use strong, unique passwords

These messages pretend to be from banks, delivery companies, government agencies, software providers or online platforms. They often ask you to “verify your account”, “pay an overdue fee” or “reset your password”.

Every important account should have its own password or passphrase. Reusing the same password across email, banking and business systems means one breach can become many.

Safe practice: Do not click links in unexpected messages.

Open the organisation’s website or app independently and check there. Phishing remains a major cyber threat, and scammers commonly use messages that appear to come from trusted organisations.

A password manager can help store and generate strong passwords safely. Where MFA is unavailable, the Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends using secure passphrases.

3. Business email compromise A cybercriminal gains access to a business email account, then watches conversations and sends convincing payment requests, altered invoices or fraudulent instructions.

Safe practice: Protect email accounts first. Use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and limit who can access financial or admin email accounts.

4. Remote access and tech support scams A caller claims there is a problem with your computer, bank account, internet or business software, then asks you to install remote access software or share login details.

Safe practice: Never give remote access to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.

3. Keep devices and software updated Phones, computers, tablets, accounting programs and farm management systems should be kept up to date. Updates often fix security weaknesses that criminals exploit.

Turn on automatic updates wherever possible.

4. Back up important business information Regular backups protect against ransomware, device loss and accidental deletion. Back up records that would be painful or costly to lose, such as payroll and accounting files, spray diaries and compliance records, business documents and templates, farm photos, marketing assets and website files.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends regular backups as a basic cyber safety measure.

5. Family and staff impersonation scams

5. Create a payment verification rule

A text message may appear to come from a child, parent, employee or colleague asking for urgent help, a transfer of money or a change of phone number.

This one process can prevent serious financial loss.

For any request involving new supplier bank details, changed payment instructions, unexpected invoices and urgent or unusual transfers.

Safe practice: Call the person on their known number before responding.

Require a second check by phone or in person before payment is approved. In businesses with multiple staff, separate the person requesting or approving a payment from the person processing it where practical.

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Make cyber safety a family and staff habit On many farms, business and personal life overlap.

A spouse may help with accounts, a teenager may help with social media, or staff may use shared devices and business logins.

Everyone involved should know: • Do not click unexpected links • Do not share passwords or authentication codes • Do not approve unusual payment requests without checking • Do not download files or apps from unknown sources • Report anything suspicious immediately, even if they are unsure A quick conversation at a staff meeting or around the kitchen table can prevent a major problem later.

What to do if you think you have been scammed or attacked

Act quickly. Speed can reduce the damage.

1. Contact your bank immediately if money, card details or banking access may be involved 2. Change affected passwords and turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), starting with email and banking

Get support

Scamwatch:

report scams and find guidance on current scam types: scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam

Australian Cyber Security Centre / ReportCyber: report cybercrime or a cyber incident: cyber.gov.au/report-and-recover

Australian Cyber Security Hotline: 1300 CYBER1 / 1300 292 371 for cyber incident advice

IDCARE:

offer free support for individuals and businesses affected by scams, identity theft or cybercrime: idcare.org or 1800 595 160

National Debt Helpline:

free, confidential financial counselling if scam losses create financial hardship: ndh.org.au or 1800 007 007

Small Business Debt Helpline:

1800 413 828 for business financial stress following a scam or cyber incident

3. Save evidence: screenshots, emails, text messages, phone numbers, links, invoices and transaction details

Scammers do not only target the careless.

4. Warn staff or family if the same scam could spread to them

A culture of pausing and checking is one of the strongest defences a farm business can build.

5. Report and seek help

They target the busy.

Charles Sturt University has a great resource available specifically to help farmers to protect what is precious to you.

FIND OUT MORE AT www.csu.edu.au/research/farmerscybersecurity/home

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AgTech: What’s new and coming soon Jane Richter

A year is a long time in the world of new technology, and there have been a number of new products and service innovations in the last year that are either fully available or on the way for growers in Australia.

Here’s a short roundup of some of the most interesting and potentially useful new AgTech for you to explore.

HiveHub: helping growers secure pollination HiveHub is a free digital platform that helps passionfruit growers connect with beekeepers and organise pollination services more efficiently.

Growers can use HiveHub to: • • • • •

Find beekeepers servicing their region Register pollination needs in advance Discuss hive timing, numbers and placement Create clear digital pollination agreements Keep records of arrangements in one place

As Varroa mite places increasing pressure on Australia’s beekeeping sector, early pollination planning is becoming more important. HiveHub gives passionfruit growers a practical way to reduce uncertainty, strengthen beekeeper relationships and improve access to the hives needed during flowering.

hivehubpollination.com

BeeSTAR: clearer visibility of pollination readiness BeeSTAR uses hive sensors, field capture and AI-driven analysis to give beekeepers and growers better insight into hive health, movement and pollination readiness. For passionfruit growers that matters because strong, well-managed hives are central to reliable flowering-period pollination.

The platform is designed to support better traceability, more targeted hive checks and greater confidence that pollination units are fit for purpose. As Varroa increases pressure on beekeeping, tools that improve visibility of hive condition may become increasingly valuable for growers planning pollination services.

www.beestar.com.au

Beehive with hive sensor installed

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Burro Grande: autonomous load carrying for farm labour support Burro Grande is an autonomous, electric field robot designed to carry, tow and move heavy loads alongside farm teams. It can literally follow workers, transport bins or supplies and reduce time spent walking materials around the farm.

The potential value lies in harvest logistics, moving tools, irrigation parts, or packed field crates, and in easing repetitive manual transport tasks. This type of robotic assistance is especially relevant where labour efficiency and the reduction of physical strain on workers are priorities.

burro.ai/burro-grande

Burro Grande automonous field robot

Agovor: compact autonomous machinery for narrow horticultural rows Agovor’s eTractor known as ‘Govor’ is a lightweight autonomous robotic platform designed for horticulture, with attachments for tasks such as mowing, spraying and towing between crop rows. It is particularly useful for orchards, vineyards and farms where compact, lower-impact machinery is needed.

With a 10-hour battery-powered runtime and low-impact weight at just 120kg, this autonomous unit can mow or weed spray with precision – even at night – and is fully controllable from an app.

www.agovor.com

Agovor set up for autonomous spraying

PlasmaLeap: on-farm fertiliser production with a lower-emissions goal PlasmaLeap is developing technology to produce nitrogen fertiliser on-farm using electricity, air and water, with the aim of reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuel-intensive fertiliser production. The patented plasma-based process bypasses the need for natural gas inputs, as used in traditional Haber-Bosch grey ammonia systems, and is engineered for high energy efficiency and compatibility with variable renewable power.

For passionfruit growers, the potential relevance is longer term: more localised fertiliser production could support input security and reduce exposure to global supply-chain volatility if the technology becomes commercially available and suitable for horticultural users.

PlasmaLeap’s on-farm fertiliser unit is still in development and was recently announced as a recipient of funding through the Hort Innovation Venture Fund. It is an AgTech to watch in the broader push for resilient, lower-emission farm inputs.

www.plasmaleap.com

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The on-farm fertiliser unit in development

RoBird: drone-based bird deterrence for crop protection RoBird™ is a drone system designed to mimic the behaviour of a peregrine falcon, creating a sustained predator presence that encourages pest birds to move away from crops without harming wildlife.

The technology may be of interest as bird damage can reduce marketable yield and fruit quality. Trials are now underway across Australian horticulture to assess how RoBird can fit into farm birdmanagement programs. Early almond trial results showed strong reductions in both fruit loss and bird pressure, and the project is now expanding into other crops and larger production areas.

This project (AS24007) is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers with co-investment from AERIUM Analytics and contributions from the Australian Government.

aeriumanalytics.com/robird

The RoBird team demonstrating the 'bird' at a Queensland strawberry farm

GreenView AI: transforming accuracy in fruit harvest forecasting Bitwise Agronomy’s GreenView AI is an AI-powered yield forecasting platform built specifically for commercial berry growers. Instead of relying on manual crop walks, growers mount a standard GoPro on existing farm machinery, record side-on footage of about 3% of the crop, and upload it for analysis.

The system counts fruit across phenological stages, combines those counts with ripening curves, growing degree days, weather data and pick schedules, then delivers dashboards, heatmaps and spreadsheets within 12 hours. Bitwise says the result is rolling forecasts up to 12 weeks ahead, at around 90% accuracy or better.

For berry businesses, this is significant because forecasting drives labour planning, packaging, cold-chain logistics, market commitments and pricing. Berries are especially difficult to predict because crops ripen in waves and are picked repeatedly over time.

GreenView AI helps turn subjective estimates into objective, block-level data, giving growers and marketers a clearer view of when fruit will be available, where variability is occurring, and how to allocate crews efficiently. In that sense, it is revolutionising berry forecasting by making precision crop intelligence practical at commercial scale globally.

Although not yet available for passionfruit, this technology would transform the accuracy of grower crop forecasting and enable much better demand and supply balancing.

bitwiseag.com

All photos credit Northern Territory Government.

The AI-powered engine is able to recognise the stages of flowering and fruit development, and combine this with other data including day length and temperature to provide accurate harvest-ready forecasts

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This delicious recipe has kindly been created & shared by Matt Golinski Chef Matt Golinski is all about real food that is seasonal, local, and packed with flavour.

Being a proud Sunshine Coast local and long-time advocate of Queensland produce, Matt has built a career around his love for fresh ingredients and the stories behind them.

Today, Matt brings his passion for food to life in many ways as a consultant chef, festival guest, food writer, and active Slow Food advocate.

SERVES

Passionfruit Meringue Pie

8

INGREDIENTS

METHO D

250g plain flour

1. In a food processor, blend the flour and butter until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

125g butter

2. With the motor running, pour in the water and blend until the mixture comes together.

50ml iced water 4 eggs 2 egg yolks 150ml cream 150g caster sugar ¾ cup passionfruit pulp ¾ cup caster sugar ½ cup water ½ tsp white wine vinegar 3 egg whites ½ tsp cream of tartar

3. Wrap the dough and rest in the fridge for half an hour before rolling.

4. Lightly grease a 24cm tart tin and roll the pastry to fit.

5. Blind bake the pastry case at 180°C until golden and just cooked.

6. Whisk together the passionfruit, eggs, egg yolks, cream, and the 200g of caster sugar until well combined.

7. Pour into the tart shell and bake at 160°C for 30 minutes or until set.

Refrigerate until completely cold.

8. In a small saucepan, boil the sugar, water and vinegar until it reaches exactly 116°C. 9. While the sugar is coming up to temperature, place the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment and whip to soft peaks.

10. With the motor running, carefully pour in the hot sugar syrup, and whisk for 5 – 10 minutes.

11. Spread or pipe the meringue onto the top of the tart to completely cover and lightly caramelise the meringue using a blow torch.

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Passionfruit Australia Inc. (PAI) is the peak industry body representing passionfruit growers in Australia

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Get Involved Join Passionfruit Australia

US ON FAC W O

Becoming a Passionfruit Australia member gives you: • Access to projects funded by PAI or through competitive grants which provide funds outside of the existing levy system • Grower alerts about immediate threats to your business from weather or pest events provided by our Management Committee • Representation by an industry body who has your interests as its only priority • Access to useful tools and special deals developed exclusively for members • Membership runs from July 1 to June 30 each year, rates are pro-rated • Membership lapses if renewal not paid within three months of the start of the fiscal year • Associate Members receive special discounted rates to advertise in The Passion Vine

Membership rates 2026/27 New Grower Member

$253

Renewal Grower Member

$198

New Associate Member

$297

Renewal Associate Member

$242

Join now! Visit www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

HOW TO JOIN

Membership is free and provides you access to: • Member-only webinars • Education and training programs, and trials/research collaboration opportunities • Pre-registration for access to Hort IQ Consumer Insights

Additionally for levy payers:

It is free to join and becoming a member gives you:

• Event ticket offers • Social media opportunities to highlight your involvement with research • Voting rights at the Hort Innovation Annual General Meeting Free access to Hort Innovation Final Reports • Please remember paying a levy does not automatically make you a member of Hort Innovation. If you haven’t become a member, then now is your opportunity.

JOIN HERE: www.horticulture.com.au/Growers/Membership

Passionate

ABOUT

PASSIONFRUIT Growing premium passionfruit vines for QLD & NSW Grafted Varieties & Pandora.

PLEASE CALL MEGAN OR DAVE

0417 622 908 or 0418 730 773

or email admin@arbourgrovenursery.com.au 114 Woombye Palmwoods Rd, Woombye QLD

www.arbourgrovenursery.com.au