Industry: Summer Fruit
Gross value of production |
$4.4 m |
Number of growers |
8 |
Number employed |
30 |
Seasonal Employment |
100 |
Current annual production |
2640 tonne |
Projected 5 year annual production |
4000 tonne |
Hectares |
180 |
1. Description of Product:
Fresh peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots and plums.
2. Location of the Industry:
Within the region this industry is concentrated around the Warby Ranges west of Wangaratta. Orchards are situated on the well drained decomposed granite country on top of the ranges and at the foothills primarily to the north and west. Stone fruit is also grown in other parts of the region, eg. Stanley and King & Ovens Valleys.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements:
a. Number of Producers:
In the Warby Range/Taminick region there are eight main growers of solely stone fruit production, and at least 6 hobby farmers growing cherries .
b. Number Regularly Employed:
Each enterprise would employ on average two people for year round management and maintenance.
c. Harvest Requirements
Cherry harvest runs for 6-8 weeks in November and December, with some late varieties harvested in early January.
Peaches are harvested from January to Mid April (12-14 weeks).
Nectarines are harvested from January for approximately 12 week. It is roughly estimated that for every 50 acres 12 people are required for picking and packing.
Hence for the stone fruit industry within this Warby Range region more than 100 people are required for a harvest period from November through to April or May.
4. Annual Production:
Growers generally agree that yields of approximately 6 tonne/acre are achieved and are an industry average. Total production for the area is therefore approximately 2640 tonnes.
5. Value of Product:
Growers estimate a gross value of production of roughly $10,000/acre and as there is approximately 440 acres under production, the gross value of the industry is $4,400,000.
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
Based on projected expansion of existing major growers and an expectation that in the short term no new growers will enter the industry, and continued production from current planting, growers anticipate a 50% increase in production over next five years, with a likely gross value of production in excess of this figure.
b. Potential:
1. The soils of this region are a significant advantage to the industry.
2. In some situations eg. industry development on top of range, air circulation provides a healthy growing environment and reduces fungus problems. The geography of the area provides a diverse micro- climate and reduces the concentration of problems associated with a monoculture.
3. The establishment of new orchards has enabled the industry to develop using newer higher yielding varieties and tree management strategies. ie. closer planting of trees.
4. The suitability of late harvest varieties to this area (because of dry autumn weather) is a market advantage with fewer competitors from other major producing areas.
See information on the
Alpine Valleys Summer Fruit Growers Association.
Extracted from the Bright Report
