Summerfruit Australia, the peak industry body representing the country's stonefruit growers, will receive funding from the Australian government to develop export markets for the fruit in Asia, in particular Taiwan.
Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke announced up to A$146,560 in funding as part of a series of programmes to develop Australian agricultural exports, and stonefruit exports were worth A$30m in 2008/09.
"This project will investigate the potential for future market access to Taiwan, ensuring maximum returns to Australian growers," Mr Burke said.
The Australian stonefruit industry produces more than 100,000 tonnes of peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots between October and March each year, with nectarines and plums the main types exported.
There are approximately 3,000 fresh stonefruit growers in Australia with New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia being the largest producers.
