Summerfruit Australia represents the biosecurity interests of summerfruit producers (including apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums) and the industry. They are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
- participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.
Industry overview
In 2016–17, stone fruit production (fresh apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums) was valued at $189 million (LVP), with exports valued at $51.4 million. Nectarines and peaches comprised two thirds of national stone fruit production, followed by plums and apricots.
Production is mainly located in subtropical and temperate Australia where the industry is a major rural and regional employer. Victoria produces around 75 per cent of Australia’s stone fruit (in the order of 1,350,000 tonnes nationally) with the remaining production spread between NSW, Queensland, SA, WA and Tasmania.
Market access to mainland China for nectarines (in May 2016) and apricots, peaches and plums (in November 2017) has allowed an expansion of exports. During the 2017–18 export season, 17,785 tonnes were exported (an increase of 27%), with 8,293 tonnes going to China and Hong Kong. Other major markets were United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia.
The stone fruit industry is covered by version 1.0 of the biosecurity plan for the summerfruit industry and the Orchard Biosecurity Manual for the Summerfruit Industry Version 1.0.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of stone fruit production, 2007–16
Distribution of stone fruit production by state and territory, 2016–17 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Summerfruit Industry
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the summerfruit industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.
The Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Summerfruit Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email [email protected].
Orchard Biosecurity Manual for the Summerfruit Industry
The Orchard Biosecurity Manual for the Summerfruit Industry contains information to help producers to implement biosecurity on-farm. Manuals usually contain an overview of biosecurity, fact sheets to identify the high priority pests of a crop, tips on crop management, and how to manage people, vehicles and equipment to minimise biosecurity risks. Manuals also contain a biosecurity self-assessment list, and templates to record pest surveillance records and visitors.
More information about on-farm biosecurity for both plant and livestock producers is available from the Farm Biosecurity website.
