It has been a cold and wet spring for one of Australia's stone fruit-growing regions, but there is still exciting news for one producer on the export front.
Mattina Fresh National Sales Director, Tom Panna admits the wet weather has meant that export programs will probably not begin until January-February, but it still provides a great opportunity, despite the production challenges.
"We wouldn't risk doing anything until at least January because of all the rain and cold weather," he said. "When you are looking at freight and the countries that require fumigation or irradiation it would have an impact on the fruit that is already reduced in terms of the nutrients to keep it firm - it's too much of a risk. We are in a position to get the better varieties exported during the Lunar New Year period, anything before that we just won't focus on because the fruit quality won't be there."
Mattina Fresh, based in Cobram in Northern Victoria, will be harvesting peach and nectarine varieties heading into Christmas, but Mr Panna says there has been significant hail damage to apricots and plums across the category, which will impact volumes this year and give the other stone fruit varieties more shelf space.
"We have had significant rain, it has been very wet," he said. "We are anticipating that it is going to continue being wet leading into Christmas, and there’s a chance it could continue post-Christmas. The fruit timing has been pushed back for two or three weeks for some growers. This has also impacted fruit size, colour and also the eating quality and shelf life. That's unfortunate for the growers who are in this early window, but we (Mattina Fresh) have dodged a bullet a bit because we start much later in Cobram - we are about 2-3 weeks away from harvesting. The trees are so healthy because they have had so much water and so much nitrogen - now we need it to heat up so we can get the sugar levels aligned with consumer taste preferences."
Mattina Fresh says that with all the challenges being faced across the industry, fellow growers and the supply chain really need to focus on quality to get the most out of the season.
"We have had the weather events, increased cost of production, inflation and all other factors that are contributing to what could be tough 12 months ahead of us, it is important that the industry focuses on supplying the best fruit into the system and allocating it so that people are still getting the best offer that Australian summerfruit growers have. Irrespective of the complications, we just need to reset and refocus and be sure that the fruit quality is at the forefront so we can engage consumers both in Australia and around the world."
The Australian summerfruit industry is returning to the Vietnam market this year, and Mattina Fresh has come together with Tenfarms to form a new company Sunrise Exports, and a new exclusive brand Lunar Fruit. The company will start out as being solely stone fruit focused, but Mr Panna has not ruled out adding other fruits such as citrus, pears and even persimmons in future.
"We have traded significantly over the years with each other and decided this is the next step for the future of both of our companies to secure the best retailers and customers around the world," Mr Panna said. "We are really excited about having the best fruit available in that brand, specific to that market. At this stage, we are setting up our programs and it already seems like it will be a promising market, as long as the industry continues to focus on the integrity of the product and make sure the best fruit in Australia is going over. I think it will be a great first season, and set up an opportunity for seasons in the future. It is definitely a focus that the right variety, right fruit integrity and right eating quality are being shipped. This is an exciting time being our first year and a collective of almost 70 years of experience."
For more information
Thomas Panna
Mattina Fresh
Phone: +61 419 315 030
thomas.panna@mattinafresh.com.au
Sunrise Exports Australia
info@sunriseexports.com.au