Truffles

truffles-industry

The Australian Truffle Growers Association represents the biosecurity interests of truffle 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

Australian truffles are marketed in more than 40 different countries, with most of the harvest exported to Europe, the United States and Asia.

There is an estimated 450 to 500 truffle orchards, or truffières, around the country, 30 to 40 per cent of which have harvested truffles. The Australian Truffle Growers’ Association has 170 members across the truffle growing states.

Since the first truffle was harvested in 1999, Australia has become the fourth largest producer of the Périgord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) in the world. The major production area is the Manjimup region of Western Australia, which accounts for around 75 per cent of the harvest. There is increasing production in Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria. A small number of newer farms in South Australia and southern Queensland will produce in the next few years.

Australian T. melanosporum are recognised for their excellent quality and are highly sought after in overseas markets, particularly in the northern hemisphere, where Australian produce is available when local product is out of season. The two other species of truffle with limited commercial production in Australia are T. aestivum and T. borchii.

truffle-ibp-cover

Biosecurity Plan for the Truffle Industry

Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the truffle 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 Biosecurity Plan for the Truffle 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 biosecurity@phau.com.au

Exotic pests (not in Australia)

The following is a list of high priority exotic pests of truffles. These pests were identified during the development of the Biosecurity Plan for the Truffle Industry in consultation with industry, government and scientists. They have been assessed as high priority pests based on their potential to enter, establish, and spread in Australia (eg environmental factors, host range, vectors) and the cost to industry of control measures.

PHA has a range of fact sheets, contingency plans and diagnostic protocols relevant to these pests. Pest risk review documents are also available for some pests. Please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email biosecurity@phau.com.au for more information.

Endorsed National Diagnostic Protocols are available from the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network webpage.

Common name Scientific name EPPRD Category Fact sheet Contingency plan Diagnostic protocol
Bacterial canker Pseudomonas avellanae syn Pseudomonas syringae pv. avellanae
Brown-marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys FS FS FS CP
Eastern filbert blight Anisogramma anomala FS
Hazelnut rust Pucciniastrum coryli
Nun moth Lymantria monacha FS
Sudden oak death Phytophthora ramorum 1 FS FS FS CP DP

Other pests

The following is a list of documents for other exotic and endemic pests of the truffle industry. Please note that this is not a complete list of pests: rather it includes pests for which documents exist in the Pest Information Document Database.

Some of the documents presented here are not tailored to the truffle industry and are included for information only.

Common name Scientific name EPPRD Category Fact sheet Contingency plan Diagnostic protocol
Brown rot Monilinia fructigena 3 FS FS FS
Chestnut blight Cryphonectria parasitica 2 FS
European canker Neonectria ditissima FS FS
Green stink bug Chinavia hilaris (syn. Acrosternum hilare, Pentatoma hilaris, Chinavia hilare, Nezara hilaris) FS
Spongy moths Lymantria dispar and Lymantria mathura FS FS FS CP
Oblique-banded leaf roller Choristoneura rosaceana FS
Phytophthora blight Phytophthora kernoviae