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Kiwifruit industry statistics from 2004 |
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Written by Regional Profile
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Wednesday, 20 July 2005 |
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 Summary
Kiwifruit is a small industry within the region located solely within the Rural City of Wangaratta. The majority of growers are near Whorouly and Moyhu. No opportunities for significant development within the AlpValleys region were identified, however the industry has some advantages regarding timing of fruit production.
North East Region | 1996 – 97 AG Census | 2000 – 01 AG Census | Gross value of production | $616,237 | $720,191 | Production volume (kg) | 383,900 | 383,611 | Total are of production (ha) | 21.3 | 36.8 | Contribution to Victorian GVP of commodity | 17% | 18% | Contribution to Australian GVP of commodity | 10.4% | 10.2% | Estimated number of farms | 5 | 5.8 |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census 1997 and 2001 Kiwi fruit industry overview Detail | Comments | Product description | Fresh fruit | Main season | April to May | Industry associations | None listed | Domestic market information | Prices received by kiwifruit producers are in the order of approximately $18 per 10 kilogram box of produce | Export market information | None provided |
Source AAVAF Survey 2004 Location of the kiwi fruit industry within North East Victoria
2001 Ag Census | % of GVP | % of production volume | North East Region | Victoria | North East Region | Victoria | Wangaratta (RC) | 100% | 18% | 100% | 18% |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census - 2001 Projected kiwi fruit industry growth Source | Indicator | Comments | (ABS) AG Census and survey data | Growth in production volume 1997 to 2001 | There was a very small decline in production volume from 1997 to 2001 | Surveys | Current profitability | Respondents stated their current profitability as very low | 5 year business plans | Those surveyed plan to increase production to a larger scale operation | 5 year business outlook | Stated as satisfactory | Business planning / budgeting | Respondents undertook formal business plans for 5 plus years in advance | Age of producers | Kiwi farmers surveyed were between 40 and 49 years | Capital expenditure
2002-03 financial year | Was between $0 and $20,000 |
This industry is forecast to have a very strong average annualised growth rate over the next five years, but from a relatively small base. Kiwi fruit industry labour requirements Detail | Based on the total area under production, approximately 18 persons would be employed on a regular basis. Labour intensive periods are April and May for harvest and pruning in early June. Generally another 18 persons per 5 hectares are required during harvest for a 4-week period, while 2 persons per 5 hectares attend to pruning for a 6 to 8 week period. For other periods at training and bud thinning an extra person may be required for a 4-week period . | Areas of indirect employment | Suppliers, transport providers, buyers. |
Kiwi fruit industry marketing activities Detail | Comments | Marketing undertaken | None currently undertaken on a large or collective scale, due to the small size of the industry in the region. Growers market through local wholesalers and city markets, on a partnered basis or individually. | Value adding activities | None identified | Labels and brands | Lesuti Organic Kiwi Fruit. |
Kiwi fruit industry strategic advantages and opportunities - Usually reliable climate that is suitable to kiwi production and water accessibility during non-drought periods.
- Accessibility to key markets.
- Given the relatively small nature of the kiwi industry within the North East, there exists the opportunity for it to expand (more producers and increasing the size of current operations).
- Some opportunity exists for the industry to reverse recent declines and establish a greater share of the fresh export kiwifruit markets by taking advantage of the regions counter seasonal supply, appealing varieties and the reputation for clean, quality horticultural produce.
- Strong pollen flows allowing for consistent bee pollination.
- Maintaining grower networks allowing better access to export opportunities.
Kiwi fruit industry strategic disadvantages and impediments to growth - Financial limitations on the ability to expand kiwi production to larger scale operations.
- The strength of the import market of kiwi fruit from New Zealand, which is representative of an advanced industry in terms of the number of producers and subsequent networking and distribution infrastructure.
- The growing region in and around the Ovens Valley area is susceptible to out of season frost.
- Growers need access to seasonal labour in a very small window of time.
- A restrictive opportunity to supply the markets outside a 3-4 week period in the year means growers must have all variables working to their advantage to maximize the supply opportunity.
- Regulations governing movement of fresh produce from a fruit fly region to domestic and export destinations.
- There appears to be a lack of market promotion of Australian kiwifruit other than promotion and marketing through collective fruit associations.
- Industry research is minimal other than that undertaken by growers.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 February 2006 )
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