s Australia is a producer of nuts, and a subsidiary of Webster Limited. The company has walnut orchards in Tasmania and the Australian Riverina region. After the harvest, the walnuts are sorted by size and quality, and packaged for selling. Afterwards they are sold at home and abroad. General manager Dean Jones says that currently 80% of the total yield is exported to Europe and Asia. Important export markets are currently: Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey and China. Over 2,200 hectares
Walnut Australia was established in 1995. The first walnut trees were planted in Tasmania, Australia. The company's first orchard is still located in the same spot, on the east coast of Tasmania. Since then, there have been two large orchards, with a total of over 1,600 hectares in the Riverina region in NSW (New South Wales), Australia. The soil in this area is well suited to growing high-quality walnuts, with stable climate conditions and a steady availability of water. The harvest takes place in March and April. "This year, the yield was higher than in 2013. The trees are producing more each year. In addition, we have recently opened new plantations in our NSW region. All in all, the acreage is now over 2,200 hectares, and we are also realizing new plantings. In the future, we will not only sell walnuts, but also kernel."
Strong demand
"At the moment, demand for Australian walnuts is strong", Jones says. "Customers realize that our products are of high quality. The 2014 harvest sold well, and 2015 is also looking good. The price level is good. Prices remain solid, with the globally high demand for walnuts. In the course of the season, prices have even seen an increase."
Dean is determined to keep developing production and sales of high-quality Australian walnuts, together with his colleagues. "Demand in the European markets is promising, and we are encouraged by the interest, which has only increased in the past years."
Event in May
Walnuts Australia is a member of the INC, the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council. This group is comprised of various members from all over the world. Each year, at the end of May, a convention is held, which took place in Melbourne this year. For three days, visitors could enjoy seminars, fairs and meetings, all related to the nut and dried fruit industry. The previous convention in Australia was 20 years ago. The event is a highlight in the industry: a huge amount of information is given, and companies get in touch with customers and potential customers.
Because the event came to Australia this year, the Walnuts Australia company seized the opportunity to present their company and activities. This was done with a stand in the centre of the conference, for instance. "The stand presented the company's activities in several ways", Jones says.
Tours
Walnuts Australia's production facilities could also be visited (see pictures). "A tour was given to more than 130 international guests and delegates during the convention. These tours were part of the official INC tour. Customers received information about the current season's process, and were able to view cultivation, drying and processing. This was a unique opportunity to show our company to the whole world, and to grow our customer base."
