A streamlined online application system is being viewed as the catalyst for an increase in the number of Australian citrus growers registering their blocks for export to the South Korean, Chinese, Thai and Taiwan (KCTT) markets.
Under the online system, 3221 blocks have been registered so far in 2016, representing 8181ha. This represents a 59 per cent increase in applications and a 55 per cent increase in hectares compared to last year, when there were 2027 block applications representing 5281ha.
The number of owners applying for registration has lept 20 per cent from last year to 497.
When the online system was introduced in 2015 it removed six weeks from the registration process. It was completed even earlier this year.
Citrus Australia’s manager of market information and quality, Nathan Hancock, said growers welcomed the prospect of beginning their export programmes earlier in the season.
“Two seasons ago, applications were completed manually, which created a paper trail,” Hancock explained. “If there was an issue, applications had to be posted and posted back. This online system has streamlined that. It has also reduced audit costs in the system, saved industry money and stopped lost documentation.”
Hancock said accessing KCTT markets requires growers to meet stringent import protocols, including the adoption of an on-farm systems approach to control quarantine pests.
“What’s encouraging is that the growth in applications comes from growers who had previously shipped to KCTT markets,” Hancock noted. “They’re indicating that despite the cost and rigour required, the reward for meeting the protocol requirements was worthwhile.”
