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 2017–18, stone fruit production (fresh apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums) was valued at $207 million (LVP), with exports valued at $65.1 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 (161,000 tonnes nationally) with the remaining production spread between NSW, Queensland, SA, WA and Tasmania.
Increased summerfruit exports have been driven by demand from China. Market access to mainland China for nectarines (in May 2016) and apricots, peaches and plums (in November 2017) allowed an expansion of exports. During the 2018–19 export season, a record 23,013 tonnes were exported (an increase of 30 per cent), with 12,000 tonnes going to China and Hong Kong. Other major markets were United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia.
In 2019, Summerfruit Australia was involved in a number of responses to pest incursions affecting the stone fruit industry, including detections of brown marmorated stink bug in cargo, varroa mite and exotic fruit fly. The industry also updated their biosecurity plan with PHA and governments.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of summerfruit production, 2007–17
Distribution of summerfruit production by state and territory, 2017–18 (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.
