Stonefruit peak body Summerfruit Australia has stated there is an ample supply of quality fruit this season, contrary to reports in the media that heavy rains have significantly affected production.
Speaking to Fruitnet.com Summerfruit Australia chairman Ian McAllister said good volumes of high-quality fruit are being produced this season, and despite conflicting reports in the media, there would be plenty of fruit in stores over the Christmas and New Year period.
In a media statement the organisation said high volumes of nectarines, peaches, apricots and plums were available in supermarkets and grocers across Australia. It added that volumes would remain strong, and of good quality, into the New Year.
Monatgue Fresh export coordinator Ben Centra said recent rains had caused some damage to crops, but he believed total volumes this season would be slightly up on the previous.
He explained that while harvesting was delayed at the start of the season by up to two weeks, a recent run of fine weather meant varieties are now coming into maturity more in line with previous years. “There is a lot of good fruit and the fruit that is coming on now is of much better flavour and it’s getting better and better as the season progresses.”
Mr Centra told Fruitnet.com he did not believe stonefruit exports would be affected by the wet weather as fruit is yet to be exported in any significant volume. The majority of exports would take place between January and March, he said adding that the main export varieties of white flesh peaches and nectarines were shaping up well.
