Industry: Citrus Fruit
Gross value of production |
$0.25m |
Number of growers |
6 |
Number employed |
4 |
Seasonal Employment |
25 |
Current annual production |
600 tonne |
Hectares |
60 |
1. Description of Product:
Citrus fruit - predominantly oranges, some lemons and a small quality of grapefruit and mandarin for fresh fruit market, although a significant quantity of oranges are used for juicing.
2. Location of the Industry:
Citrus orchards are located on the eastern foothills of the Warby Ranges from Taminick Road to Wangandary. Orchards were planted in the 1800's on the well drained soils of the Range utilising natural ground water from the Warby Range.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements:
a. Number of Producers:
Six growers who over the years have diversified and now only 2 are reliant on farm income, 4 others have non-farm employment.
b. Number Regularly Employed:
Each farm unit has different regular employment requirements, but all less than one full time person.
c. Harvest Requirements
Harvest times extend from 4 to 6 months depending on crop. Up to 20 extra people are required for the industry for this period for harvest and packing.
4. Annual Production:
It is difficult to estimate annual production with accuracy because there is a cyclic variation in the orange crop, however growers conservative estimate production of 600 tonnes annually.
5. Value of Product:
Navel Oranges - $300 - $400/tonne - fresh fruit market
Valencia Oranges - $200 - 300/tonne juice only
Lemons - $600-$700/ tonne on average but can drop to $300/tonne
Mandarin $400/tonne - sold to a retailer within the region.
Grapefruit $150/tonne - sold to a retailer within the region.
Gross vale of production = $0.25m
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
There is no expectation of expansion or decline in this regional industry in the next five years although in the past 30 years, growers have exited the industry for family and aging reasons.
b. Potential:
1. The potential for development of this industry is limited by access to water. The industry relies on spring water and unlike the rest of the citrus industry it is a non irrigated crop.
However, the fruit from the region is regarded as full flavoured late harvest fruit which often fetches premium prices.
2. Citrus fruit is the major horticultural export earner. There is a strong export marketing body for the industry which could advantage local industry from time to time as shortages of fruit on the domestic market may result in increase in prices.
3. Fruit grown in this region is free from insecticides and herbicides, a significant marketing advantage, however the fruit is prone to blemishes and for this reason is less acceptable in consumer market.
Extracted from the Bright Report
