Australia’s apple and pear suppliers will see how they and other growers and packers rank according to certain parameters
Industry association Apple and Pear Australia (APAL) says it has taken a “significant step forward” with the roll-out of its Packhouse Performance Dashboard, a new system designed to provide growers and packers with better information about fruit quality across the industry.
From 8 April, users of its APAL Quality Hub will gain access to a range of data within the dashboard, and the hope is that this extra insight will improve decision-making when it comes to harvesting and marketing.
The data themselves come from quality testing conducted by independent agent Quality Associates, which has been employed to measure the fruit’s sugar levels (Brix) and pressure on a monthly basis.
Full transparency
As a result of the new system’s introduction, the names of individual packhouses will be published from this month and visible to APAL members.
Although those members are not permitted to share the information with third parties, the organisation says the change will mean high-performing packhouses are recognised and the entire industry is held accountable for the quality of its fruit.
“If a packhouse’s results consistently fall below specification, support is available through APAL Industry Services or local agronomists to improve fruit quality outcomes,” it said in a statement.
“Comprehensive testing ensures that industry performance is assessed from the consumer’s perspective at the point of purchase. This data complements existing packhouse and retailer testing, giving growers a broader understanding of market performance.”
