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 2017–18, pistachio production was valued at $42 million (LVP), with exports valued at $1.4 million.

In 2019, there was 1,300 hectares under cultivation, producing a record 2,300 tonnes of pistachio nuts. 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. 180 hectares of new orchards were planted in 2018, 200 in 2019, and an estimated 240 are expected in 2020, a total of 1,165 new hectares since 2014. These new orchards are not yet in production. There are five large pistachio orchards and another five orchards of 10 to 15 hectares. 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 and to 10,000 tonnes by 2030.

In 2019, the Pistachio Growers’ Association participated in responses to pest incursions. 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: Understanding and managing insects on pistachio orchards (PS16000) and Pathogens and other factors contributing to dark staining on pistachio shells (PS16002). The industry is represented at PHA meetings and government Biosecurity Roundtables.