John Dollisson, Chief Executive Officer of APAL, recently visited growers around Australia along with Chair Michele Allan, and followed up on many of the issues raised.
The executives discussed national issues of poor pricing; ineffective apple and pear marketing; the need to increase consumption per head; new varieties; the need for consistent quality; and the need for all growers to be members of Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA). Local and State issues including water, pests and the shrinking role of state departments of agriculture were also raised.
Dollison and Allan also had the opportunity to look at value-added products and opportunities, including juicing, when they saw the new Appledale co-operative’s mechanical harvester that will significantly improve the profit in ‘growing for juicing’ and Avondale Food’s apple processing facility. Both of these, and other similar facilities across Australia, are a very important part of our industry in assisting growers to improve their profitability or recovery from second grade fruit.
APAL will be investigating R&D around the world to ensure that their processors are aware of latest techniques, equipment and processes.
Opportunities for additional value-added products from apples and pears and the potential for these to improve industry profitability and ensure full use of all production was also discussed.
"Part of this process was the commissioning of specific pear nutritional research with the CSIRO some of which I hope you have seen in the media. Once complete we will consolidate with similar research undertaken on apples in 2010 to both reassess our marketing and nutritional claims and identify niches in value-added products such as compressed fruit bars, vinegar, and extruded cereal or similar products – ideally where growers own the brand." said John Dollisson.
"Longer term, getting more out of our production by converting it into shelf-stable, no-protocol, easily exportable products will significantly add value to the Australian industry and grower profitability."
