Industry: Walnuts
Gross value of production |
$0.42m |
Number of growers |
9 |
Number employed |
6 |
Seasonal Employment |
50 |
Current annual production |
120 tonnes |
1. Description of Product:
Walnuts including kernels, and in shell, pickled walnuts with a potential for other value added products.
2. Location of the Industry:
Nine growers are located in Ovens Valley, (Gapsted and Eurobin), Beechworth and Stanley and one grove at Rutherglen. Outside the region there is walnut production at Tatura and in Gippsland.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements
a. Number of Producers
9 growers, 6 older established growers, 3 newer growers.
b. Number Regularly Employed
For 2 growers a principal source of income, 3 people employed. For other growers additional income only, 3 people employed
4. Annual Production :
Approximately 250 acres under production. Older groves producing low yields because of age. New groves not yet mature production. Yields of 0.5 tonne/acre probably an industry average.
5. Value of Product:
$3.50/kg wholesale price for walnuts in shell.
Gross value of production = 3.5 x 120,000
= $0.42 million
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
There is an expectation that 1/3 of current acreage will be producing 2 tonnes/acre
ie. 200 tonnes plus 75 tonnes from other 150 acres, a total of 275 tonnes. ie. 130% increase within 5 years.
b. Potential
There is a strong domestic and export demand for walnuts. Australia currently imports 90% of domestic consumption. Therefore there is opportunity for import substitution. There is a possible niche market opportunity in organic walnuts.
Extracted from the Bright Report
