Pistachios

The Pistachio Growers Association represents the biosecurity interests of pistachio producers 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 2018–19, pistachio production was valued at $27 million (LVP), with exports valued at $16.6 million. In 2020, there were approximately 2,000 hectares (bearing and non-bearing) under cultivation with 2,900 tonnes of pistachio nuts produced from the productive orchards.

Major production areas are along the Murray River Valley between Swan Hill in Victoria and Waikerie in South Australia. Further plantings are in central-west Victoria and Pinnaroo, South Australia, with small plantings in Western Australia. 180 hectares of new orchards were planted in 2018, 200 in 2019 and 220 in 2020 representing a total of 1,165 new hectares since 2014. None of this new orchard is currently in production. There are five large pistachio orchards and another five orchards of 10 to 15 hectares, which is the acknowledged size required to make a living solely from pistachio nut production. Around 20 mixed fruit growers each produce less than five tonnes of pistachios (dry) per annum from one to five hectares.

Australian pistachio production currently meets only 50 per cent of domestic consumption, with the remainder imported from other major producers including Iran and the United States. The domestic production of pistachio is expected to increase to 4,000 tonnes (rolling average of two seasons) by 2022 and to 12,000 tonnes by 2030.

Australia is free from major pests and diseases that affect pistachios overseas. Biosecurity is a priority for the industry, with aspects of biosecurity embedded in the Pistachio Industry Australia – the Premium Healthy Nut – Strategic Blueprint 2030, and in two completed Hort Innovation research projects (PS16000 and PS16002). The industry is represented at PHA meetings and government Biosecurity Roundtables.