Industry: Vegetables
Gross value of production |
$1.59m |
Number of growers |
8 |
Number employed |
7-8 + |
Seasonal Employment |
60 |
1. Description of Product:
Vegetables including Cabbages (summer and winter), Capsicums, Tomatoes, Pumpkins, Broccoli (summer), Cauliflower (summer) and Leeks.
2. Location of the Industry:
Ovens Valley at Whorouly - 1 grower.
Kiewa Valley at Mt Beauty - 2 growers.
Ovens Valley at Eurobin - Alpine Produce ( 6 growers during 1995-1996, now defunct)
King Valley - 1 grower belonging to Alpine Produce.
Alpine produce was a group of growers (former tobacco farmers) working together and marketing under the one label. Most have since resumed tobacco growing. All vegetable growers have other farm or non-farm income.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements:
a. Number of Producers:
There are 6 major producers in Alpine Produce, plus 2 other large producers in Ovens/Kiewa region. There will be many small vegetable producers in the region not included in this survey.
b. Number Regularly Employed:
One farm has 4 people full time, another has 1 full time and six farms have 6 half time people employed
c. Harvest Requirements
For harvest from January to April, approximately 60 casuals are required with variable employment up to full time depending on weather.
4. Annual Production:
(Including 3 major growers or grower group only)
Tomatoes: 180 tonne.
Capsicums: 750 tonne
Pumpkin: 150 tonne
Cabbages: 260,000 head.
Cauliflower: 408,000 head.
Broccoli: 200,000 head.
Leeks: 8000 head.
5. Value of Product:
Cabbages: 50 - 80c each. Total Value of Production: $169,000.
Tomatoes: $1/kg Total Value of Production: $180,000
Capsicum: $1/kg Total Value of Production: $750,000
Pumpkin: 11c/kg Total Value of Production: $ 16,500
Cauliflower: $1 each Total Value of Production: $408,000
Broccoli $1.2/kg (3-4 heads/kg) Total Value of Production: $ 60,000
Leeks 30-50c each Total Value of Production: $ 4,000
Gross Value of Production therefore is $1.59 million.
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
In general the expectation is for growth and for some vegetables it is expected that an increase of 50-100% in production within 5 years will be achieved.
b. Potential:
1. The potential for growth varies depending on markets. There has been expansion of the industry because of perceived gap in supply to local markets initially and the wholesale Melbourne market.
2. The suitability of soils, availability and quality of water, and climate conditions in the Ovens Valley and in this region generally has provided an opportunity for industry growth.
3. There is an existing farm infra-structure and horticultural expertise in the region associated with a tradition of tobacco production.
4. The suitability of growing conditions, and absence of disease have allowed for the development of a summer brassica industry which fulfils a gap in the Melbourne market.
Adapted from the Bright Report
