AUSTRALIA, A GROWING EXPORT MARKET
The current Australia table grape season has displayed significant growth compared to the challenging 2020/21 season. With a 5% increase in production and a competitive proximity to a thriving Chinese demand, Australian grapes are set to recover the valuable Chinese grape market.
Indeed, China remains the key market for Australian growers which now accounts for more than half of the region’s 220,000 tons of export crop. At the same time, Australian growers are expanding and diversifying into other countries like Korea, Singapore, Japan, and the Middle East where consumer demand for Australian premium varieties continues to thrive.
SNFL UNLOCKING GROWTH IN AUSTRALIA
For over a decade, SNFL has expanded its presence in Australia with its Sheehan varieties and has significantly invested in trial blocks of its new genetics program. SNFL technical experts aim to give growers the tools to be able to succeed, from harvest to market, providing a comprehensive end-to-end service. The SNFL Australian team has developed local production protocols and maintains one-to-one collaborations with growers.
SNFL DELIVERING LEADING VARIETIES
Plantings of Allison™ have increased 60% in the past 12 months, resulting in an impressive growth of the volume of boxes harvested. Michael Scullino from Scullino Produce is excited about Allison’s “good returns, excellent yield, no colouring issues and that pickers are very happy to pick this variety.”
SNFL varieties such as Allison™, Timpson™ and Ivory™ are finding favour with growers in Australia, and offer high fertility and productivity, as well as large natural berry size and loose bunches, which require much less grower inputs. Moreover, the consumer also benefits from its flavour, crunchy texture and good shelf life.
“As a grower, you do not want to worry about the colour or over-shatter during bad weather conditions. Allison™ showed fantastic colour, size, and great crunch. Allison is easy to grow and an easy to pick variety” explain Jason & Donny Garreffa from Bliss Grapes.
Timpson™ continues to create impressive reactions and “received remarkable feedback from the buyers. The young vines had exceptional yield with consistent quality. Timpson™ is indeed an easy to grow grape with minimal inputs and less labour management issues. It was one pass pick and we picked good quality and quantity of grapes.” share Chris & Nelson Dichiera from AUSBRAND Farming.
