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Inside industry: Citrus

PIRSA Horticulture maintains close links with the citrus industry through the SA Citrus Industry Development Board. Key areas of focus are workforce availability and skills, increased collaboration and cooperation in the value chains, resource access and infrastructure, improving the viability of industry data and statistics and export development.

Citrus squeezed but growers hang on

There’s no doubt things have been tough for citrus growers in the Riverland but grower, Graham McInness believes the industry has turned the corner and has a vibrant future.

Citrus

"For those growers who have been able to hang in there, things are on the way up.  There is an undersupply of citrus as we don’t produce enough to satisfy the Australian market,” Graham said.

Graham and his wife Gill bought their first block near Waikerie 25 years ago and now own 24 hectares split over seven properties.

"Having separate blocks in different locations around Waikerie decreases the risk of the whole crop being wiped out by frost.

"We grow Valencias, Washingtons, early and late navels, mandarins, tangelos, lemons and limes.

"We have reduced our number of Valencia trees because the pack house and juice businesses are decreasing their demand on fresh product, recently we replaced our Seville crop with limes because they are increasing in popularity.”

"We are aiming to provide the customer with a product they want.  Citrus lasts a long time after being picked - up to six weeks and the eating quality is still excellent.”“Consumers like easy peel fruit - an easy peel navel would be terrific.”

The drought has affected the McInness’ but it has also made them look at more efficient ways of growing the crop.

Their water allocation is enough to keep their trees alive but they lease water to grow the crop.

"We have leased water at high prices so we are behind the eightball.

"But on the positive side when water restrictions started eight years ago we invested in a more efficient sprinkler system.

"Last year we started fertigation where fertiliser and some nutrients are applied through the irrigation system rather than spreading it on the ground and being sprayed on the foliage using a tractor and spray plant.

"This has saved on fuel costs and man hours and decreases the amount of traffic on the block so there is less compaction of the soil.

"It also means we grow few weeds between rows because the water and nutrients are being specifically applied to the trees.

"On some blocks we’ve had the best crop we’ve had for years.

"I hope growers can ride out the rough patch.”

For more information

Contact
Graham McInnes
p  + 61 417 822 257
e  mcinnessg@bigpond.com


Citrus always in demand

From a retail perspective citrus is a category governed by seasonality.

Woolworths Senior Buyer Fresh Produce, Brian Stockham, says the fruit needs to be fresh and in season.

"The sugar levels must be right.  If we bring citrus in too early and consumers eat a sour piece of fruit it takes a long time for them to repurchase,” Brian said.

"Our preference is to always buy citrus that is grown and farmed in Australia so we actively work with our growers to get the most out of every season.”

"Consumers demand citrus all year and navels are now picked for a longer season decreasing the need for imports.”

The biggest sellers in citrus are navel oranges, mandarins, lemons and limes.

"Consumers are always willing to try something new but important qualities are flavour, juice, few seeds and a trend towards easy peel.

"The citrus industry has been fantastic with investment in research and innovation to come up with new varieties. We're always looking for new and innovative products for our customers.”

More recently consumer demand has also been influenced by cooking shows.

"The impact of cooking shows has been amazing.

"Limes are a growing market and there are growing niche markets for ruby and pink grapefruits, blood oranges and pummelos as a result of chefs using them on television.”

The market for citrus is varied and Woolworths tries to market all sizes of fruit.

"Pre-bagged fruit is very popular and is great for families.

"Each time a new variety comes into season there is a spike in sales.  People can have too much citrus and they will stop buying but new varieties bring them back.”

Consumers like information about the products and specific varieties.

"Recipe cards are extremely popular and information about the fruit’s qualities – the flavour
and juiciness.”

Want more details?

Contact
Brian Stockham
Woolworths
p +61 8 8206 5660
e bstockham@woolworths.com.au