International Update

Citrus

It’s been a challenging year for citrus – especially oranges – with heavy rains throughout the early part of the season affecting the southern growing regions in particular. The impact will be felt for the remainder of the harvest season, which normally runs until November. This year, however, issues with quality as a result of the bad weather will likely bring the domestic season to a close, slightly earlier than usual, with the import season expected to start in December. Quality issues have also caused a reduction in citrus into export markets, leading to an oversupply of fruit on the domestic market.

Mandarins have fared better, with fruit quality remaining quite good. Winter brings the northern-grown Murcott variety into season from May to September, followed by southern- grown Afourer from July to November. Lemons are also in good supply, with the season expected to continue as normal – tightening up a little towards the end of the year before bouncing back in January. Limes are grown year-round in Australia, with the 12-month domestic supply punctuated by peaks and troughs. Though slightly short at the moment, the spring flush should bring us back up, with another flush expected to follow in January. Frank Frappa

StoneFruit

Spring brings the start of the stone fruit season, which runs from November through to April. Growing conditions are currently favourable, with the trees displaying good early flowering that has come 7-10 days earlier than last year. Stone fruit are one of the most challenging to grow due to the wide array of varieties, regions and growing schedules. Orchards located just 20km apart can differ in the timing of their fruit development. This results in a continuous supply of fruit throughout the season, and a longer supply period for certain varieties.

Grapes

Grape vines are currently being pruned in preparation for the season ahead. The vines only come into leaf around September/October, with fruit developing in mid-late November and supply commencing in late December until June.

Holland Visit

The Premier and MG Team recently undertook a field tour of multiple greenhouse operations in Holland, Germany and Belgium. The tour showed a first-hand run through of the most efficient and sustainable growing and support systems, and allowed for time with numerous breeders reviewing variety options.

The tour included Premier and MG team members: Peter Hendry, Kerry Wells, Pierre Gargiulo, Anthony Di Pietro, Dean Gall, Mark LoGiudice. The Premier Team also spent time with our Netherlands based advisors Looijie Agro Technics (Mark Looijie) who arranged a meeting with Greenhouse operations across the trip. All of this first hand intel is a great help to current and future planning in our continued growth strategy.