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Opportunities at our door
A note from our chair
It’s been another trying year for all.
Weather conditions in 2022 made it difficult for growers, as did rain, humidity, lack of chemicals and the inability to spray due to continuing wet events.
The forecast for the coming season is drier and hotter, and we all know this is the weather that made Australia one of the leading countries in the 90s for growing premium dried fruit.
At the time of writing this, the total tonnage is about 7500 tonnes – the lowest for the industry for many decades.
When Covid hit, Australian Premium Dried Fruits, Sunbeam and Dried Fruit Australia decided to put a hold on promotions in China and the UK, and decided 2023 would be the start of venturing into these markets.
As the industry grows, it is essential that we have markets to accommodate the growth in production.
The evidence is showing us that with the new areas planted of the new high yielding varieties, there will be a need to find new or regain markets that are willing to pay the premium prices that Australian fruit demands.
So far we have been to China and will be heading to Anuga, Germany, in October.
As you would be aware, DFA is applying for an increase in the Dried Grape Research and Development (R&D) Levy from $11 to $20/tonne. It has been more than 30 years since it was increased to $11. Read all about this on Page 22. New varieties give growers great opportunities to increase their bottom line. These varieties yield 10 tonnes/ha year after year. DFA has finished the 10 Tonne Project, which showed that it is possible to achieve high yields, with all growers in the project growing greater than 10 tonne to the hectare.
News from our CEO
Despite the challenging season of 2023, I firmly believe that the dried fruits industry has built a strong foundation for future growth.
I take the shortfall of the season crop intake as a temporary setback of our industry on the way to something great again. It may take a bit longer to achieve our set goals, but the trajectory of growth is upwards.
To ensure targets are being met, we need to get our priorities and initiatives right and it requires collaboration from the players in the industry.
Promising new varieties are on the way with welcome characteristics: early harvest, light fruit, big yield, rain resistant and downy tolerant.
Robust innovation programs are in place, with much improved and effective winter pruning units and harvesters in use. We must continuously improve farming techniques, including reviewing trellis systems and new latch studies.
All these existing and future projects need to be funded by our R&D Levy, which is the only levy matched by the Commonwealth Government, and is the reason to make structural change on our outdated levy setups. To achieve this, it requires full support from all of our industry stakeholders.
Our joint strategic marketing program with processors/marketers to ensure improvement on profitability and grower returns has been and will continue to be the KPI for the industry.
Maintaining market access and customer connectivity is the priority for this challenging season.
We need a sound readiness when our crop volume increases and quality improves, all with a great hope for our 2024 crop.
This is highlighted by a recent marketing trip to China and attending the SIAL exhibition by DFA, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Sunbeam Foods. v