The Australian capsicum market is “steady and strong” as consumer demand and interest in specific varieties continues to grow.
“We are finding the demand for the tri-colour capsicum pack growing on a modest scale,” Kapiris Bros Sales and Marketing Director Steve Tsakoumakis says.
“However, the main demand and trend has increased for a variety which is best known in the industry as the ‘Blocky’ Bell shaped variety.”
He says there are a number of reasons consumers enjoy this particular variety, including its “beautiful appearance”, easy handling and “promotion of the Bell shaped capsicum on popular TV cooking shows.”
There is also demand for quality capsicums of a consistent size and shape across the board.
“Consumer demand for quality capsicums is above average and steady,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
The strong and steady demand has led Kapiris Bros to start planning the expansion of their Tasmanian operation for capsicums, with plans to increase the three-hectare site with a further six-hectare glasshouse site in the near future.
The company also has a two-hectare glasshouse in South Australia, a 60-hectare farm in Victoria and an 80-hectare farm in Queensland, which means they can supply fresh capsicums to the market throughout the year.
“Australia is a very lucky country as we can provide fresh produce to consumers all year round due to our ability to grow in different regions,” John Kapiris, third generation Kapiris Bros Manager says.
“Kapiris Bros has strategically located their farms across Australia to ensure we have a 365 days per year supply of premium quality produce.”
At the moment, Kapiris Bros are transitioning between their summer and winter capsicum crops across these growing regions.
“The Kapiris Bros’ glasshouse in Tasmania will be ending the 2015-2016 harvest season at the end of May. The Victorian and South Australian farms are also coming to an end of their season. The Queensland farms have just started harvesting for the 2016 winter season,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
“The terms steady and strong sum up the current capsicum season. Favourable weather conditions in Tasmania along with Kapiris Bros' ability to manage the challenging weather conditions in Tasmania through our state of the art Glasshouse in Devonport has resulted in great quality capsicums along with high yields,” he says.
Quality and size has also been “consistent for all our varieties” and Mr Tsakoumakis says that years of growing experience, along with automated monitoring have been key contributors to “high quality capsicums in terms of yield and flavour.”
“Our capsicums are full flavoured as they are allowed to ripen on the plants which gives them superior appearance, quality, taste and shelf life for all varieties, red, yellow and green,” he says.
