update POMEWEST

Since the last WA Grower pome management report, our orchardists have focused on completing harvest. The new fruit season has been in high demand and welcomed in the market, with higher prices bringing the market in line with the cost of production.

Words Nardia Stacy, Executive Manager, Pomewest

LOW volumes resulting from heat events in 2024 have affected the sales metrics, with volumes sold since August 2024 down by 3.2% compared to the previous year.

However, price-dollar sales growth in Western Australia (WA) has increased by 6%, outpacing the national average of 3%. This year, 85% of households in WA purchase apples; however, the average amount purchased per household has decreased slightly from 19.3 kg to 18.6 kg annually. We continue to lead the country in purchase value at $89.35, compared to the national average of $71.48.

Quality

The WA apple maturity testing program has earned a stellar reputation nationwide, with peers and stakeholders consistently acknowledging its value. Despite facing minor issues with Gala earlier in the year, we continue to achieve great results.

Numerous growers have leveraged the pre-harvest testing offer, and overall, the maturities of Granny and Pink Lady® have surpassed expectations, demonstrating that the program effectively engages and unifies our producers.

So far, we have experienced only three failures out of 59 tests in wholesale and one failure out of 102 tests in retail, indicating that we are on track to have a good year.

Donnybrook Apple Festival

What a fantastic way to celebrate Western Australia’s Pome Industry’s season launch this Easter 2025! This year’s event saw our fruit sales increase by 30%, covering our costs to hold the event and allowing us to sponsor it to promote the industry, making it a cost-neutral exercise. A special thanks to Sam Licciardello of Orchard 1Sixty for generously donating his time and resources to help us set up fruit bins and engage with the public. Thanks also to our chair, Jason Jarvis, for his support and for promoting the industry with Sam on ABC radio.

Noelene Swain did an excellent job coordinating our efforts, and we appreciate our Pomewest Team, along with special friends Helen Cripps, Evelyn White, and Helen Bond.

We appreciate the support of local growers, which made our event possible. We showcased nine varieties of apples, pears, and nashi, celebrating the diversity of Western Australia’s apple and pear industry. Festivalgoers enjoyed the unique flavours of the southwest, and many returned specifically for our high-quality fruit, which received excellent feedback for its storage capability.

Technical market access open for Aussie apples to China

On Monday, 28 April, it was announced that China has granted technical market access for apples on the Australian mainland. This opportunity is a long-awaited achievement and a significant boost for our sector. Congratulations to APAL, especially Jenny Van de Meeberg, Head of Trade, for successfully negotiating this trade agreement for the apple and pear industry. Details of protocols and plans are still pending. Nevertheless, some believe there is potential to introduce new, uniquely Australian-bred apple varieties into a premium market and build demand for Australian apples.