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ADFA ,1 in l i b r a r y •International Sultana Conference •Snail Control in Vineyards •Dried Grape Approved Supplier Program •USA Industry Tours 2000 ~ December 2000 - *5 o i DRIED FRUITS NEWS FROM THE Official Journal of CHAIRMAN The Australian Dried Fellow Growers, Fruits Association Inc. Greetings, the end of another year draws Volume NS 27. closer and with it hope of better things Number 4 to come. There have been some big changes in the past year in our industry December, 2000 both in the growing, where we have seen large-scale investment in dried fruit CONTENTS: production. In processing, the sale of Angas Park to Chiquita, an interesting sale and certainly promises to bring change to From The Chairman Page 2 our industry hopefully for the better. Within the ADFA structure with both Angas Australian Dried Fruits Board Report Page 3 Park and Sun Dried joining the Association for the first time. International Sultana Conference Page 4-5 Tree Fruit Cutting Rales 2000/2001 Page 6 Whilst these events were unfolding, Government changes to Horticultural Legislation Drying For Profit Page 7-8 will see the closure of the Australian Dried Fruit Board early in 2001. In its place will Snowy River Update Page 9 be an Industry Advisory Committee under the new Horticulture Australia Limited. No More Praying After Spraying Page 10 Whilst going through negotiations on this new structure we were able to secure the Dried Grape Approved Supplier Program Page 11 majority of the ADFB’s assets into a trust for the future use and advancement of our ADFA USA Industry Tours 2000 Page 12 industry. We have control of all expenditure from this trust. Snail Control in Vineyards Page 14 Industry News Page 15 After several walks through my property and some neighboring properties, it caused me concern over the lack of bunch numbers, particularly in sultanas. After discussions with other growers and processor representatives, it appears to be fairly common BOARD OF MANAGEMENT: through all growing areas. Of concern to industry is harvesting this crop and ensuring that growers are aware of the costs involved in hand harvesting versus Trellis Drying. Grower Members: I hope to have a presenter at our January meeting to advise on the cost implications of GRAHAM ROBERTSON, Red Cliffs,Chairman either method in light crop years. PETER JONES, Irymple, Vic TONY MARTIN, Merbein, Vic Despite what looks like being a near record low year the Test of the world’ has grown LINDSAY LEAKE, Red Cliffs, Vic massive crops in 2000 and this will potentially put the world into a moderate oversupply PHILIP SIMS, Renmark, SA situation. BRIAN BOULTON, Mid-Murray, Vic DEAN SLADE, Berri, SA At the recent International Sultana Conference (which features in this edition), delegates heard of unprecented crop levels in U.S.A., Turkey and Iran. The ‘after hours’ Processor Members: discussions were hinting at probable price reductions in an attempt to clear stocks, MARK HANCOCK, Mildura Co-op. this being the case, it is critical that we have good weather so as we can return to NEIL HURLEY, Irymple Packing production of our famous ‘light’ product that both demands and achieves premium BILL BOURGAZAS, Sun Dried prices throughout the world. VACANT, Angas Park Agents’ Representative: On the other side of the ledger, the tree fruit crop is progressing well and reports back STEPHEN GORMAN, A.D.F.S. from South Australia indicate a higher than normal crop is expected and we hope that this comes to fruition as crop sizes in recent times have been less than market ADFA NEWS EDITOR: requirements. GRAHAM ROBERTSON Also in this issue is the amended pink wages sheet. It must be remembered that these rates are recommended minimums and any payment above these amounts is between ADFA HEAD OFFICE: the employer / employee - contractor. This has caused some concern with people contracting machinery in Trellis Drying operations in recent times. Similar 3 1 Dcakin Avenue, Mildura P O Box 5042, Mildura, Victoria 3502 circumstances rarely occur and we recommend negotiations between parties. Telephone: (03) 5023 5174 In closing 1 wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and especially a Facsimile: (03)5023 3321 E-mail: [email protected] trouble free harvest, as it is well and truly overdue. The purpose of the ADI"A Dried Fruits News is to provide information about, and opinion on, issues which concern our growers. Accordingly, the ADFA and its staff cannot be re­ sponsible for any error, loss or other consequence arising from reliance on the information in this publication. Graham Robertson 2 - ADFA Dried Fruits News December 2000 AUSTRALIAN DRIED FRUITS BOARD REPORT B arrie M ac M illan C hairman A ustralian D ried F ruits B oard The International Sultana / Raisin Conference was recently held Growers must look to redevelop to the best production technology in Mildura and attended by 40 visitors from producing nations available at an appropriate pace so as not to expose their business around the world. The large crops dried during the recent northern to too much risk. hemisphere summer in the USA, Turkey and Iran are impacting on world markets with the USA determined to regain market The International Sultana / Raisin Conference has brought the share lost to Turkey in recent years. This preparedness to win international dried grape community together and it has increased market share at low prices will lead to diminished export highlighted the continuing need for our industry to strive for returns for all countries. excellence in order to compete effectively. Our Australian industry needs the 2001 crop to be of the highest It should be noted however that all producing countries are possible quality to enable our marketers to distinguish our product undergoing periods of significant change. from that held in abundance by the rest of the world. Hopefully, USA: Large stocks will likely lead to a raisin diversion program. the sultana crop that appears in most instances to be a light one, The US government is supportive of reduced export subsidies. will produce full-berried mature fruit that will weigh well and Turkey: TARIS, the Government backed processor, is being produce the light coloured sultanas Australia is renowned for. restructured to act as a commercial packer and its role of purchasing and managing the oversupply of product is likely to The recent launch of the dried grape approved supplier program change in future. is a timely initiative as the Australian industry positions itself to Iran: The reduction of US and Turkish prices for reasonable maintain quality premiums in the domestic and quality conscious quality product has placed enormous pressure on Iranian traders export markets. who traditionally have set the bottom of the market. South Africa: The changing political environment has led to a The Australian industry must be proactive in defending this diversion of Government spending towards other social programs. quality premium. The approved supplier program coupled with Taxation and social issues are a major concern to South African the processors QA accreditation ensures the product chain is growers. covered from grape patch to plate. The program attempts to provide a marketing edge for our product. The restructuring of the Australian industry is also continuing with the legislation for Horticulture Australia progressing to The international conference confirmed that the Australian dried timetable. The Australian Dried Fruits Board is due to be grape industry has built a reputation as a world leader in terms of dissolved and replaced by an Industry Advisory Committee at yield per hectare, product quality, market price and grower returns years end. however this is always under threat and challenge. The ADFA is to negotiatethe structure to provide executive The rain-affected crops of 1999 and 2000 have jeopardised our support to the new Committee and to implement the Committee's quality position. programs in the areas of residue testing, promotion, market research, product description, industry statistics, market access Improvement in vineyard management is increasing the output etc. The new Committee will retain the export market control from Iranian and Turkish vineyards. The variability of sultana powers held in reserve by the ADFB since the deregulation of fruitfulness and its susceptibility to rain damage in our less than the industry in 1998. predictable February climate are causes for considerable concern especially during the last two seasons. The latest industry production and export marketing statistics are: New varieties offer potential for Australian growers to move to Variety 2000 Receivals 2000 Packed more consistent bearing grape types that are less likely to be Sultanas 26,109 24,985 damaged by rain than sultanas. Plantings of these new varieties Naturals 451 426 will need to be matched with marketing opportunities. Currants 2,616 2,485 The Shaw swingarm production system offers the Australian Seeded Raisins 1214 1,026 industry significant optimism to be able to out-produce our Other Varieties 249 230 overseas competitors from a yield and cost of production Total 30,639 29,152 viewpoint. Market 2000/01 However, the uptake of this technology by large private and Canada 806 corporate growers means that established dried grape growers Germany 3,045 should be preparing to match the efficiency of new greenfield UK 1,543 vineyard developments to compete against low cost American, New Zealand 271 Turkish and Iranian producers. Other 1,110 Total 6,775 December 2000 ADFA Dried Fruits News - 3 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SULTANA / RAISIN PRODUCING COUNTRIES MILDURA, AUSTRALIA 30th October to 2nd November 2000 The International Conference of Sultana/Raisin Producing The Conference received state of the industry addresses Countries was held in Mildura from October 30th to from each of the Delegation Leaders in which production, November 2nd- 2000 and attended by delegates and visitors processing and marketing issues were addressed.

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