UPFRONT news

Words Anitra Stene, Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator, vegetablesWA

UPGRADES to cold storage facilities at the Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute are sharpening attention on the role of post-harvest technology in Western

Australia’s horticulture sector. Supported by the Cook Government, the $300,000 investment introduces advanced controlled-atmosphere storage systems designed to improve product quality, extend shelf life and support research across multiple crops.

The new infrastructure allows researchers to better regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels during storage, slowing ripening and preserving quality and nutritional value. While the approach is well established internationally, its continued development locally reflects growing pressure on growers to meet higher quality standards, manage longer supply chains and reduce waste.

At Manjimup, the upgraded facilities will be used by the National Apple Breeding Program while also expanding opportunities for research in other crops, including avocados and kiwifruit. This cross-commodity application

highlights an increasing focus on shared technologies that can deliver benefits across the broader horticulture sector, rather than remaining confined to a single industry segment.

For growers, the significance of the investment lies in its practical implications. Post-harvest losses, quality variability and timing pressures remain key challenges, particularly for producers targeting export markets or premium domestic buyers. Improved storage capability offers one pathway to better aligning supply with market demand, while also helping maintain consistency in the product reaching consumers.

The project also forms part of the wider Narrow Orchard Systems (NOS) initiative, which integrates orchard design, automation, sensing technologies and data platforms. The addition of advanced cold storage highlights an increasingly whole-of-system approach, where improvements in production are linked closely with post-harvest handling and supply chain management.

Industry engagement has been built into the rollout, with growers given the opportunity to inspect the upgraded facilities and associated research during field days. These interactions remain critical in determining how effectively new technologies are adopted in practice, particularly where changes to storage or handling systems require capital investment or operational adjustments at the farm level.

Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the facility would strengthen research capability and provide new tools for industry. “The cold storage upgrade at the Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute is a game changer for research that will give growers the tools to target high value markets and deliver great quality fruit for consumers to enjoy,” she said.

She also noted the connection between the new storage systems and broader efficiency gains across the production chain. “The technology adds to the whole narrow orchard systems package, boosting post-harvest handling efficiencies while significantly lowering input costs and emissions footprints.”

From an industry standpoint, the upgrade underscores a shift in where value can be created or lost. While orchard performance and yield remain critical, increasing attention is being paid to post-harvest processes, where even small improvements in storage conditions can translate into significant gains in quality, shelf life and market access.

At the same time, the success of such investments will depend on how widely research outcomes are adopted. Infrastructure provides the foundation for innovation, but its impact ultimately rests on practical application — whether growers can integrate new storage techniques into their operations in a way that delivers measurable returns.

Although modest in scale financially, the Manjimup upgrade signals a wider shift across the industry. As supply chains become more intricate and standards for quality continue to rise, the capability to manage produce beyond the orchard gate is emerging as a critical factor in staying competitive.

“ The improved facilities offer a clear, practical demonstration of how advances in post harvest practices can generate meaningful benefits for growers and the broader supply chain. ”

If successfully implemented, the technologies being tested at Manjimup have the potential to lift product quality, expand market opportunities, and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Western Australia’s horticulture sector.