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 2016–17, pistachio production was valued at $19 million (LVP), with exports valued at $1.8 million. In 2018, there was 1,300 hectares under cultivation with a record 3,200 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 SA. Further plantings are in central west Victoria and Pinnaroo, SA, with small plantings in WA. It is estimated that 200 hectares were planted in 2018 with 150 hectares per annum to be planted in the next three years (2019 to 2021). 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 2021.

In 2018, Pistachio Growers’ Association participated in Emergency Plant Pest activities, including as an affected party in the eradication response for Khapra beetle. 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 Australian Pistachio Industry Five Year Strategic Plan – 2015 to 2020, and in two Hort Innovation research projects (PS16000 and PS16002). The industry is represented at PHA meetings and government Biosecurity Roundtables.

The pistachio industry is covered by version 3.0 of the nut industry biosecurity plan.