Overcoming challenges

AUSTRALIAN PREMIUM DRIED FRUITS

The dried vine fruit industry has once again faced an exceptionally challenging season characterised by lower crop yields.

This decline can be attributed to record-breaking spring rains and flooding, which resulted in the onset of disease, particularly downy mildew.

Despite the initial setbacks, there was a glimmer of hope for growers as perfect summer growing conditions offered the potential for excellent quality light-coloured fruit, albeit in smaller quantities. However, the industry's optimism was dampened when untimely rains returned during the crucial drying period, negatively impacting the moisture content and colour of the fruit.

Challenges with wet fruit have increasingly become a recurring seasonal issue.

However, dealing with smaller volumes like the one experienced this season has eased the problem compared to a season with average to above-average crop yields.

Nevertheless, the decline in the number of growers willing to dehydrate their own fruit poses additional challenges for APDF, especially when it comes to managing higher moisture fruit (+20 per cent). Such fruit often requires multiple dehydration cycles to achieve the desired moisture level.

Effectively addressing these dehydration challenges will play a pivotal role in streamlining operations and enhancing overall productivity within the industry.

To date, the discipline surrounding the use of electronic spray diaries among growers has been disappointing. However, there is no denying the crucial role they will play in managing the chemical inputs employed on vineyards, thereby ensuring that our industry maintains complete traceability from farm to fork.

This innovative tool was specifically designed to streamline the usage and recording of all chemicals used by growers on their farms.

The fruit quality of this year’s crop is far superior to last year even though the trend in terms of colour is toward the darker end.

These challenges and the reduced volumes have curtailed the export program for APDF this season, but it is important to add that export markets are certainly not as buoyant as they once were, and they are certainly not immune to inflationary pressures that are a global phenomenon.

Having visited China recently, where we met with several customers and attended the SIAL Shanghai Trade Show, the overriding feedback from the trip is the lack of price competitiveness and questionable quality over the past couple of seasons. Taking back market share against cheaper origins that sell at half the price of Australian fruit, particularly within mature market segments like the daily nut snacking area where most of the Aussie fruit is consumed, will be difficult – particularly in difficult growing seasons when fruit is not at its best.

Despite the challenges faced during the current season, growers and industry stakeholders in the dried fruit industry maintain an optimistic outlook for the future. They eagerly await a more uneventful year, free from adverse weather conditions.

The industry's resilience and determination to overcome challenges reflect the commitment to sustainable growth and continuous improvement.v

Enquiries: Grower liaison officer Larry Dichiera 0488 199 221 larry@apdf.com.au