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KMID : 0903619980390020227
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Journal of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science
1998 Volume.39 No. 2 p.227 ~ p.232
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The Production of Horticultural Crops in Australia
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Possingham, J. V.
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Abstract
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The horticultural industries of Australia were developed from 1788 onwards to provide fresh food for an expanding population swelled by semi continuous immigration. Areas of fruit and vegetable production were developed adjacent to the main centres of population which were commonly located on rivers to provide city water supplies. As our cities grew some of our best horticultural land was converted to housing and horticulture became displaced to inland irrigation areas. National irrigation schemes were developed after both World War I and II to settle returned soldiers on small horticultural farms to produce crops such as wine grapes, raisin grapes, citrus fruits, canned peaches and both processed and fresh vegetables. Over time these areas expanded to become our main centres of horticultural production. In addition significant quantities of pome fruits are grown in cool elevated areas in most states of Australia especially in Tasmania. Prior to England joining the EEC Australia´s exports of temperate horticultural produce were mainly sent to the UK where they enjoyed a preferential tariff. Australia is a massive continent somewhat similar in size to the USA of which over one third is located with in the tropical zone. Accordingly we are able to grow a wide range of tropical fruit crops both for local consumption and for export to near neighbour countries in Asia. We have the additional advantage that we are located in the Southern Hemisphere so that we can produce those fruits that are strongly seasonal, out of season for Asia. Local crops include pineapple and banana, while new crops some of which are exported include mango, litchi, mangosteen, macadamia and cashew. Because of the wide variety of soils and climates available within Australia we are able to have mature in the field crops such as asparagus, melons and even table grapes for most months of the year. There is an increasing production of Asian vegetables for use by the local community and for export. Australia has 3 viticultural industries fresh table grapes, raisins and an expanding wine industry. About 100,000 tonnes of table grapes are produced primarily for local markets with some exports to markets in Singapore, Hongkong etc. Production is based on Californian varieties and technologies with GA treated Thompson Seedless dominating production (about 80%), plus Red Globe and Superior Seedless. Raisins are produced from Thompson Seedless, Zante Currant and Muscat grapes. The industry is over 100 years old and supplies the local market and exports to Europe and New Zealand. Total production is about 50,000 tonnes dried (250,000 t. fresh). The main product is golden sultanas produced by traditional techniques developed in Greece and Turkey. Wine has been a recent Australian success story, with exports to a number of overseas countries increasing at a rapid rate over the past 5 years. Almost a million tonnes of grapes are now made into wine. Our export success relates to the high quality of the product and our low cost of production. We have some excellent climates for wine grape production and Gave concentrated on growing highly flavoured premium varieties. Our vineyards are highly mechanised and we developed skills at making wine in large centralised wineries using sophisticated technologies and highly trained enologists.
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