Silver lining to a tough year - P 6-8 10 Juice Health - Citrus Australia
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WINTER 2020
Silver lining to
a tough year
P 6-8
10 Juice Health 13 Labour security 34 DV Valencia
Star Rating fight concerns for 2021 ticking all boxes
continues
WINTER 2020
Australian Citrus News is written and
published by Citrus Australia Limited.
(ACN 130 238 792) In this issue...
94 Lemon Avenue Mildura Vic 3502
PO Box 10336, Mildura Vic 3502 Australia
T: (03) 5023 6333
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E: admin@citrusaustralia.com.au
4 Hard work is paying off but we 22 Will you have a home for your
www.citrusaustralia.com.au can’t rest yet future fruit?
23 Citrus Variety information sheets
NEWS 24 Blank slate for 450ha citrus
MANAGING EDITOR expansion
Stephen Cooke
5 Positive start for exports despite
Industry Engagement Manager global uncertainty 27 New tech underpins evolution of
Citrus Australia Limited 6 High demand and lighter volumes world class citrus nursery
M: 0427 124 437 keep prices strong 28 Q&A: Residue testing service
E: stephen.cooke@citrusaustralia.com.au
8 Practical measures protect packing 29 Red Scale supppression with
ADVERTISING
crews Aphytis melinus wasps
Shay Linder-Auricht 10 Ratings decision defies common
Citrus Australia Limited sense
BIOSECURITY
M: 0428 929 576 13 Government reopens pathways for
E: shay@citrusaustralia.com.au overseas workers 30 Shaping Australia’s response to
HLB
DESIGN & LAYOUT 14 Border closures should have been
Clare De Luca avoided 31 Global networks critical in
Fresh Republic tackling disease
16 Compac partnership offers great
M: 0413 563 654 value for growers
E: clare@freshrepublic.com.au INNOVATION
17 edp australia demonstrates
its commitment to Australian 32 DV Valencia ticking all the boxes
Citrus Industry
34 Smooth transition for citrus
CITRUS 19 Citrus Australia welcomes
Waterpool Trading
traceability project
FUND 35 High levels of technical resistance
20 When a 2300km road trip turned to some fungicides a concern
the fortunes of Gayndah growers
Australian Citrus News has been funded by
Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
using the national citrus levy and funds from
the Australian Government.
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Any advice provided in articles contained in
Australian Citrus News is intended as a source Cover image: Justin Lane, MFC, with Toby Hederics of Belah Heights, Trentham Cliffs, Vic.
of information only. Always read the label Photo: Paul Mensch, Mildura Weekly.
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without the written permission of the authors FUND
and publisher.
CEO REPORT
Hard work is paying off but
we can’t rest yet
Citrus businesses, indeed hort and covers many of the requirements a Murray Inter Valley Trade rules and
agri businesses in general are in the sound COVID-19 plan requires. a focus on reliable delivery of water
privileged position of being considered below the Barmah Choke through
Our industry’s adoption and
essential or critical services during investment in infrastructure
implementation of COVID-19 Health
COVID-19. Privileged in that in this
Plans was integral to our success and I • Lobbying to maintain a high Health
challenging environment we’re able to
thank every business that went above Star Rating for juice
continue trading.
and beyond to adapt during this trying
• Reviewing and responding to the
Whilst it’s not been easy for all time, right in the throes of harvest.
ACCC interim report into water
horticultural businesses many are
For those still harvesting that do not markets in the Murray-Darling Basin
experiencing a surge in demand for
have a plan, it is incumbent on you
their product. • Outlining growers’ requirements
to implement one immediately so we
through government submissions
It may be that COVID-19 may can successfully finish our harvest and
on mobile blackspots and labour
recalibrate community sentiment maintain consumer confidence.
requirements
toward our sector as the realisation
Since our last edition, in addition to
dawns on some that fresh produce • Promoting the quality and health
our daily work on market access,
is relatively cheap and abundantly benefits of citrus on various
biosecurity and agrichemicals, our
available in our country. consumer-facing social media
team has been:
platforms
This could be a fresh produce
• Ensuring growers’ requirements are
renaissance where industry claw back Citrus businesses that choose to
both raised and met in COVID-19
some of the ground lost to ‘functional’ become members of Citrus Australia
(coronavirus) talks with state and
and ‘fortified’ foods. fund this work, which benefits the
federal governments
entire industry.
Critical to business continuity is our
• Advocating for a proper assessment
ability to avoid outbreaks in orchards, If you feel this benefits your business,
of the structural failings of the
packing sheds and process plants. we ask you to contact Kerry Thompson
Paradise Dam on the Burnett River in
on 0448 213 330 to join us today. I can
In reality, given our adoption of Queensland in response to the state
assure you, there is no shortage of
food safety principles and the wide government’s preference to lower
issues that could affect our growth and
spread knowledge and awareness of the dam wall and reduce future
prosperity.
biosecurity principles puts industry in a water availability
uniquely prepared position. I would like to welcome the 16 citrus
• Through advocacy earned a 12
businesses who have supported Citrus
In itself food safety accreditation month reprieve to the Goulburn
Australia by becoming members in the
last six months.
Members can always gain support for
issues important to them, by contacting
their Regional Advisory Committee,
who will work with the Citrus Australia
team. Visit the Membership section at
www.citrusaustralia.com.au for more
information.
Stay safe, keep growing delicious
healthy citrus and remember to wash
your hands.
NATHAN HANCOCK
Chief Executive Officer,
Citrus Australia
Nathan Hancock speaks to an ABC TV crew and other media during the NSW-Victoria border closure.
4 | Australian Citrus News
NEWS
Positive start for exports
despite global uncertainty
Australian citrus exports have had a Nathan said the industry had adjusted been lower in volume than we first
positive start to the season despite the to operating under different conditions thought, particularly early and mid-
uncertainty caused by COVID-19, with than in the past – a virtual marketing season Navel oranges and Murcotts.
increased orange exports offsetting a space - due to COVID-19.
“However, Citrus Australia is still
slight decline in mandarin exports in
“There hasn’t been the opportunity to optimistic it will be a reasonably strong
the first six months of 2020.
visit the market, to view the fruit and export season given strong demand
As of June 30, both Japan and Greater to get a sense for the flow of product, domestically and across our export
China had imported 26% of Australian so trust in relationships has been markets.”
oranges. Japan imported 25% of important,” he said.
Nathan said that due to the size of the
Australian mandarins, with Greater
“There has also been increased risk that crop, there has been less fruit available
China importing 16%.
at any time a market may close or a overall that suits the China market
Japan’s imports had increased port may be heavily congested due to specification.
compared to the same period in 2019 COVID-19 regulations in the importing
“Given the difficult end to the northern
while China’s decreased. country.
hemisphere season where port
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock “Despite this, demand for citrus congestion caused delays causing fruit
said it had been a pleasing start to the globally has been very strong. Since from Egypt, the USA and other markets
export season. the beginning of the pandemic many to build up and then took time to clear,
markets saw a sharp rise in demand there will be traders in China who
“Last year’s record year was
and this has continued through to our will also be more cautious about the
characterised by an on crop, large
season too.” volume they are prepared to import.
volumes of fruit, and an increased
volume of smaller size fruit,” Nathan Nathan said demand has been strong “Traders on both sides will be hoping to
said. from a range of Australia’s key markets. get the balance of supply and demand
and ensure it is a profitable season for
“We also saw an increase in mandarin “Demand from Japan has been strong
all involved.
exports which isn’t a great surprise all season, as have other markets
given the number of new plantings such as New Zealand, Singapore and “Early indications are that the navels
we’ve seen in the past decade. This Malaysia for oranges and the Philippines and mandarins arriving in China are
year the crop volume has been down and Thailand for mandarins. receiving good prices and the fruit is
depending on the variety and timing in high demand, but you never really
“We predicted the 2020 citrus season
but sizing has been good.” know until the last consignments are
would be smaller in volume than last
paid for”.
year but it seems certain varieties have
Winter 2020 | 5
NEWS
High demand and lighter
volumes keep prices strong
A combination of heightened demand and reduced yields in most regions is buoying citrus returns both
domestically and on the export front.
Far North Queensland a lot of seedless lemons have been lockdown; we should be into them
burnt.” again before Christmas.”
In Far North Queensland, Debra
Caamano-Bermudez, Julum Citrus, While there is enough labour in the Matthew says guarding against
Mareeba, sees humour in the situation. area to see growers through the 2020 COVID-19 “has increased the workload
harvest, Debra says concern is building on the administration side” but
“That’s always the way: the price for
over how replacements will be found hasn’t impeded the business to any
lemons and limes is up so there’s no
once the current wave of backpackers significant degree.
fruit around,” Debra said when we
and seasonal workers leaves Australia.
called early August. “At the start of the export season we
weren’t sure what chaos was ahead
“It we had it we could make good Central Queensland
but it’s been surprisingly good to
money right now.
At Gayndah in Central Queensland, date,” Ainsley Emmerton, Mundubbera,
“Melbourne’s screaming for it – our the Honey Murcott harvest on says.
agent’s calling them ‘Lockdown Benyendah’s four properties finished in
“Most orchards are down 30–50% on
Limes’, because alcohol consumption’s early August.
yield and domestic and chainstore
actually increased during lockdown.
Matthew Benham says the operation pricing is competitive with export.
“There’s plenty of crop but it’s just not experienced a “lighter year after quite
“We had initial concerns over
ready yet. a sizeable crop in 2019 that was 20–30
the Australian–Chinese political
per cent above normal”.
“COVID shut us down and we had relationship and Thailand’s maximum
nowhere to send our fruit so it stayed “This year we were roughly 50pc down residue limits so growers have
on the trees, and instead of flowering due to overloading of the trees last spread the risk by including more
they were putting their energy into year and the dryness we’ve had,” he consignments to Vietnam, Taiwan and
feeding that fruit. says. the Philippines.
“Everyone seems to be in the same Matthew says Benyendah’s sales of “There’s less fruit on the water, less
boat: a couple of growers are doing a fruit into China, Thailand, Indonesia supply and more demand.”
little bit constantly but then some are and the UAE have been pleasing and
Ainsley says the China market is
two to three weeks away and others “the returns on domestic fruit have
strengthening in the lead-up to the
won’t start for a couple of months. certainly been a surprise”.
Moon Festival on October 1 and
“The Dimbulah area was hit badly with “We were lucky to finish our lemons at “Thailand is ticking away nicely,
frost in the middle of July. the end of May when the hospitality with a Queensland Exporter Group
side of the market was just starting promotion due to commence in
“There isn’t much damage to limes but
to struggle because of Australia’s August for the Hungry Ghost Festival
With seedless lemons and limes in short supply on Mandarins from Quebec Citrus, Mundubbera, and fellow Central Queensland exporters will be available
the domestic market, producers including Julum during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Thailand and the Moon Festival in China this spring.
Citrus at Mareeba, Far North Quensland, are
desperate to start harvesting.
6 | Australian Citrus News
NEWS
in early September”. The coldest morning of the year – at
-4°C – was recorded on August 6.
“Pricing has been similar to 2019’s but
there will be a much stronger finish.” “The frost fans started up at 8pm when
the temperature hit 0.5°C and ran for
Lighter loads have produced an
12 hours straight.”
increased percentage of rougher skin
and creasing at the calyx and “acid In the tri-state area, Mildura Fruit
levels have taken longer to come Company is negotiating three sets of
down”, she says. government regulations and cross-
border travel restrictions while working
“Most growers, if they aren’t still
to move both people and fruit from
picking, are starting pruning, fertilising
South Australia, NSW and Sunraysia to
and post-harvest spraying.”
its facility in Victoria, grower services
technical manager Justin Lane says.
Central NSW
“It’s been a bit of a nightmare for our
In northern NSW, Gunnible Pastoral, truck drivers and labour; we had a
Gunnedah, has bucked the downward couple of weeks when they couldn’t
volume trend, setting records in get permits,” Justin says. Simon Lehmann, Nippy’s, Waikerie, South
tonnages produced and exported. Australia, says growers with large, clean fruit are
“The yields are down slightly after a being rewarded this season.
Supplying Salustiana oranges for pretty tough growing season last year
domestic juicing and to the fresh fruit with no winter rain and a lot of wind
market in China, Gunnible is benefitting very strong in price, and domestically
and dust storms but the quality is high it’s also holding up.
from investment in water management and the size is up.
technology that now irrigates 80% of “We have more orders than fruit.
blocks using solar power, according to “The blemish is variable – where
Robert Hoddle. growers have done their pruning and “If anything, as the season’s
have windbreaks the fruit’s very good. progressed, the market demand and
“There was a degree of nervousness prices have both increased.
in China caused by the political “There were a couple of frosts in
environment; they were a little bit the first week of August but it’s not “On Late Lane navels returns should be
apprehensive,” Robert says. looking too bad at this point. a lot better than on Washingtons this
year.”
“We’re experiencing strong demand “At the moment we’re at the start of
for our juice fruit from buyers – the late navels and Afourers; our mid- Fabio says COVID-19 is causing minor
COVID is having an effect on that season navels and Imperials are done. logistics disruptions, including to the
with consumers looking for healthy availability of containers, transport and
“Hopefully by the end of September shipping spaces.
alternatives.
we’ll be close to finishing.”
“We’re very proud to be supplying a Nippy’s manager of grower services,
Justin says markets in Australia and Simon Lehmann, says late navels,
good-quality product to help people
overseas are “all quite strong”. Afourers, winter Valencias, lemons
through this.”
“The demand is certainly there for and grapefruit are being picked in the
Robert says Australian growers are Riverland.
citrus.”
following with interest reports of
declining production in the Americas. In the Riverland, grower liaison officer Fruit quality “has improved as we’ve
Fabio Spiniello, Venus Citrus, Loxton, moved through the varieties”, Simon
“We’re hearing that Brazil has fallen says.
says the Washington navel season has
by 19% and Mexico is almost down
finished and the first late navels are “All have had extremely good Brix
50% on oranges – the lowest since the
being delivered. levels and the rind has been firm,
1990s.”
“We’re also still doing Cara Caras, resulting in a superior product being
Tri-State Afourers, tangelos, lemons and delivered to our export destinations.”
Sumos,” Fabio says. Mid-season navel sizes “peaked in the
In the Riverina, an abnormally dry few
months have forced enterprises at “The quality is one size better than last 88s, 72s, 64s and 56s”, with average
Leeton to water throughout winter, year. class one packouts of about 50%.
Frank Mercuri, Pacific Fresh, says. “Some of our growers have had heavy “Early indications are that the late
“Prices have come back by $50–$100 wind blemish but it’s not as severe as it navel crop load will be heavier than
a tonne, or $3–$4 a box, but that’s off was last year. initially estimated but we still have
the past few really good years so we around five weeks of supply to come,”
“Across all varieties the yield is a little he says.
can live with that. bit down but in Afourers we’ve had a
“The fruit’s not overly big this season 50% increase as younger trees come “With the national Imperial crop being
but the quality is good. into production.” down we’ve seen strong demand; this
has been reflected in grower returns.
“The volume overall is down about Fabio describes orders as “outstanding
20% on 2019 – everybody’s picking a – very, very solid”. “The Afourers are on the larger end
little bit less than what they thought – of the grader and average class one
“There’s a shortage of citrus worldwide packouts are 70–80%.”
but the demand is there so as soon as so the markets we’re dealing with in
we can pack it, it’s gone.” Japan, the US, Taiwan and Thailand are continued on page 8
Winter 2020 | 7
NEWS
continued from page 7
Simon says “demand has outstripped two storms prior to harvest with high immune system, we have a good-
supply”. winds that knocked some fruit off the eating piece of fruit and we’re one to
trees. two weeks earlier in maturity.
“We had to decline orders because we
couldn’t physically get enough volume “Our Imperials went really well and “There was a massive hole
through our shed in the peak from the we’re harvesting Afourers at the domestically when we started our
end of June to early July [and] we’ve moment, although we’re still seeing mandarins and navels in April –the
now encountered a shortage of labour touches of green on some fruit. North American imports had been
affecting our ability to harvest fruit.” soaked up in the panic buying.”
“We’ll be finishing up in October –
that’s four to six weeks earlier than Despite overseas port congestion
Western Australia
normal for us.” affecting shipping, WA exports are
In Western Australia, Richard Eckersley, streaming into Southeast Asian
Just over 300km north of Harvey,
Yambellup Estate, Harvey, says 2020 is markets.
Damien Guthrey, export and
“so far, so good”.
distribution manager at Moora Citrus, “Most of the countries we’ve been
Richard says the state’s two exporters echoes Richard’s comments. supplying are reporting similar
are straining to fill orders – particularly demand and the returns have been
“It’s been very inconsistent across
from Japan, where buyers are seeking good for clean fruit, class one fruit,
regions and varieties in terms of crop
“a lot more fruit than usual”. premium fruit,” Damien says.
profile,” Damien says.
“We’re seeing excellent demand,” he “We’re through the mid-season and
“The late navels look like they’ll
says. specialty varieties now – we’ve seen
be below the forecast but the late
the last of the blood oranges and Cara
“Fruit going through the supply chain mandarins are the other way around.
Caras.
is moving really quickly so the product
“Total tonnages year-on-year are going
in store is fresh. “We’ll be busy with late navels and
to be slightly down but the eating
Afourers until October, then the
“Volume is a bit of a mixed bag in WA quality is great.
Valencias will come in.
– some farms are up and some are
“There’s always a degree of wind
down – but packouts are higher this “When we started this year there was
rubbing and scarring in WA but it’s no
year. an abundance of workers who weren’t
worse than the five-year average and
able to find jobs in hospitality.
“We’re seeing a reduction in albedo- we’ve picked up between 0.5° and 1°
breakdown crinkling and the little bit Brix on sugar content. “Well over half our workforce at that
of splitting we’ve had in navels isn’t time had arrived between Christmas
“This has brought very strong demand
serious. and the national border closing in the
and pull-through at the retail level.
second week of March.
“There were borders up between
“The COVID crisis has put more focus
regions at the start of the season that “The concern in the industry now is
on healthy eating and boosting the
created extra paperwork and we had around what will happen in 2021.”
Practical measures protect packing crews
Keeping packing houses free of “We’re lucky enough that we’ve had no
COVID-19 is crucial for Venus Citrus in issues but we just have to make sure
the Riverland. we keep following protocol.”
“The way we’ve had to run things is Citrus Australia has helped citrus
different to last year,” Venus Citrus’s businesses adapt to the changing
grower liaison officer Fabio Spiniello landscape through its industry-leading
says. document ‘Guide to COVID-19 in the
Orchard & Packing Shed’, and our
“We’ve split the workforce up into
updated COVID-19 section at www.
different teams running at different
citrusaustralia.com.au
times to minimise people in the shed,
and also to create a safe environment This information provides businesses
we have sanitising stations everywhere with a one-stop portal to help them
– it’s all about hygiene and staying navigate the changes.
aware.
Information is gathered through
“We temperature-test everybody every weekly discussions with government
morning. departments, where Citrus Australia
ensures the industry’s needs are raised
“With the machines that are running,
and met.
we send people off to smoko and to
Venus Citrus is staggering workers’ breaks and
lunch at different times so they’re not running teams at different times as part of its
all out there together. COVID-19 prevention strategy.
8 | Australian Citrus News
NEWS
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Winter 2020 | 9
NEWS - JUICE
Ratings decision defies
common sense
We’ve all been left scratching our heads It is clear to Citrus Australia that the fresh fruit and vegetables within the
with the decision to remove fresh juice’s HSR system is misguided and that Australian population. Governments in
5-Star Rating under the Health Star the Federal and State Ministers on the other countries are attempting to do
Rating system, particularly when a glass Forum on Food Regulation that oversee this.
of diet cola is rated ‘healthier’. the system must ask themselves: Are
In the UK, the government has
we promoting healthy nutritious diets,
Under the revised system, fresh implemented a Soft Drinks Industry
or simply less sugar?
Australian orange juice will no longer Levy (sugar tax), of which juice and
receive a 5-Star rating, the highest With an annual decline in the number milk-based drinks are exempt.
available. of Australians eating the recommended
Public Health England has a target to
intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, it
Instead, juice packed with Vitamin C, reduce sugar in juice-based drinks by
would seem an inappropriate time to
Potassium, Folate, magnesium and mid-2021 but this excludes 100% fruit
discourage alternate sources like fresh
antioxidants, will likely receive 2 or 2 1/2 and vegetable juices – a decision based
juice.
Stars. on their nutritional value.
The most recent (2017-18) Australian
That’s because the HSR system has a Citrus Australia will continue to
Bureau of Statistics survey on fruit
laser-like focus on eliminating sugar advocate for the nutritional qualities of
and vegetable consumption reveals
from the population’s diet, without fresh juice and lobby each member of
only 51.3% of Australians aged 18 years
regard to the overall nutritional value of the Forum on Food Regulation to see
and over met the guidelines for the
the food. sense and look at the bigger picture –
recommended daily serves of fruit (2
we must get it back on the agenda and
Orange juice contains complex natural or more serves), while 7.5% met the
have the health benefits of fresh juice
sugar, and its nutritional value has guidelines for serves of vegetables (5
acknowledged by this rating system.
earned it a place in the ‘eat more of’ or more). Only 5.4% of adults met both
category of the Australian Dietary guidelines.
Guidelines as a substitution for a whole
These rates have remained fairly
piece of fruit in the diet. One 125mL
consistent over time.
glass of fresh orange juice contains
NATHAN HANCOCK,
half the recommended daily intake of The Government should clearly be
Chief Executive Officer,
Vitamin C. attempting to increase the intake of
Citrus Australia
The story so far
The Health Star Rating System was Under the current HSR ‘calculator’, diet then tabled a motion that juice receive
introduced in Australia and New cola would receive 4 Stars, because of an automatic 4-Star rating.
Zealand in 2014. the artificial sweetener it contains.
This received the support of Minister
Fresh 100% juice was granted the The final decision is made by the Littleproud but did not receive the
maximum 5-Star rating through a Australia and New Zealand Ministerial backing of any other states and was
‘policy position’. Forum on Food Regulation (Forum), defeated.
comprising Ministers from the
The results of a 5-year review were Minister Littleproud highlighted the
Australian and New Zealand Federal
released in May, 2019. Under the anomaly of diet cola receiving 4 Stars
governments, and each Australian
review recommendations, the policy under the revised system and the
State and Territory.
position would be removed and fresh Forum asked the Food Regulation
juice would receive a rating of as low At the Forum’s meeting in July, Federal Standing Committee to “consider
as 2 Stars under the revised HSR Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and provide further advice on the
‘calculator’. tabled two motions for fresh juice to treatment of artificially-sweetened
be granted an automatic 5-Star rating. beverages and 100% vegetable and
This is because the calculator assesses
Neither of these motions received fruit juice beverages” at the November
juice on its sugar content alone and
support. Forum meeting.
does not take nutritional value into
account. The NSW and SA state governments
10 | Australian Citrus NewsNEWS - JUICE
Where to from here? Fresh juice would receive a
rating of as low as 2 Stars under
Citrus Australia is working to build “The new coalition will help amplify
the revised HSR ‘calculator’.
support for the proposed automatic this message in all states.”
4-Star rating for fresh juice, as
Each state on the Forum is
proposed by the NSW and SA
represented by the Agriculture
governments, and to have a motion
Minister or the Health Minister.
tabled at the November Forum
meeting. “It has come to our attention that the
agriculture ministers in each state may
Citrus Australia is working with a
not be fully aware of the situation and
coalition, including the Australian
we will work to change that.
Beverages Council, the National
Farmers Federation, Apple and Pear “Fruit juice currently contributes
Australia, and juice manufacturers, on $736m to the Australian economy and
a two-pronged approach. Australian juice processors have stated
that the proposed changes to the
“We will continue to raise the absurdity
Health Star Rating for fresh juice will
of the current situation through the
have an immediate and detrimental
media in a bid to gain support from
effect on sales.
consumers; and heavily lobby the
Agriculture Ministers in each State, as “We hope that by stimulating earnest
well as all local politicians in fruit juice discussion between Ministers at
regions,” Citrus Australia CEO Nathan cabinet level, we could receive more
Hancock said. support at the next Forum meeting.”
“We received excellent coverage
in the media in the lead-up to the
July meeting, which led to Minister
Littleproud publicly declaring he would
push for a 5-Star rating.
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Winter 2020 | 11NEWS
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12Serenade
| Australian
® Citrus News
Prime is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group.NEWS - COVID-19
Government reopens Unions want
pathways for overseas Working
workers Holiday Maker
visa banned
The Australian Workers’ Union,
The Federal Government “Citrus businesses also have an
the Shop Distributive and Allied
important part to play. We have been
announced in August the collating information on just how many Employees Association and the
reopening of the Pacific Labour workers are required across the country Transport Workers’ Union have
formed an alliance, calling for
Scheme and Seasonal Worker for every month of harvest. Specific
an end to the working holiday
examples of any difficulty in filling these
Programme. roles this season or in past seasons is maker visa.
powerful in telling industry’s story. In a submission to a federal
The Federal Government has assured
“We will need accurate data ahead of review of the farm workforce,
the horticulture industry it would
time to help Government prepare good the Retail Supply Chain Alliance
approve the visa applications, but
policy. called for more Australians
it now depends on each state and
to work on farms as well as
territory to “opt-in” to the reopened
“This information provided by our an expansion of the seasonal
schemes and administer their arrival
businesses will help us in our meetings worker program.
into the regions.
with government, and in turn help
government create appropriate policy Citrus Australia was quick to
Citrus Australia is working with all state
in a timely fashion.” point out that removing the
government departments, advising
Working Holiday Maker visa at
them of the importance of their help
Nathan said Australian growers have this time would only add to the
in administering these schemes, and
worked hard through the uncertainty pain Australia faces as a nation.
supplying necessary data on required
and additional requirements caused by
worker numbers in each citrus region. “Throwing out the Working
COVID-19 this season.
Holiday Maker program goes
Strict conditions will be imposed
“I commend all growers for their against all advice. Government
including a 14-day isolation period
response to a rapidly changing situation must keep all options open
following the arrival of the workers.
that occurred just as harvest was when it comes to finding people
SWP-approved employers will be
beginning in Queensland. to work in agriculture,” said
covering the costs of finding and
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan
quarantining employees. “Having to secure and rapidly train
Hancock.
workers, and put in place protocols in
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan
the field and the packing shed to keep “The need for programs like
Hancock welcomed the Government
employees and their family safe, placed the Working Holiday Maker
announcement and looks forward to
great strain on everybody. program and the Seasonal
working with state governments to
Worker Programme were
ensure all growers have a full workforce “But the response was tremendous,
developed and supported by
for the 2021 harvest and into future particularly when the goal posts could,
federal governments over the
seasons as Australia tracks its way to and sometimes did, shift overnight.”
years because the need existed;
recovery from the pandemic.
Demand for citrus in domestic and industry could not find workers
export markets has been strong this no matter the unemployment
year and the majority of growers have rate, and I am afraid under
had enough workers to harvest. current policy settings that will
remain the case,” Nathan said.
“These simplistic statements
by the unions show how out of
Citrus Australia members can access touch they are with the issue at
a comprehensive document ‘Farm hand,” Nathan said.
Labour: All you need to know’,
containing facts and links to useful The unions’ ‘solutions’ ignore
websites on how to source labour, how the key issues Australians face
to manage workers, how to ensure when working in these seasonal
they are safe, and that you are paying roles, of the lack of short-term
them correctly. The guide is available accommodation options in
in the members’ section of the Citrus regional and rural areas, and the
Australia website. The website also clash of priorities for transient
contains a section on labour which is workers who have a family.
Work continues on ensuring there will be regularly updated.
enough labour for next season’s harvest.
Winter 2020 | 13NEWS - COVID-19
Border closures should have
been avoided
As State Governments eased harsh border restrictions in August, Citrus Australia says the pain and angst
these decisions caused border communities could and should have been avoided.
The National Cabinet (comprising Since the National Cabinet decision, “The decision made little sense, and
the Federal and state and territory the SA, Queensland and NSW although a logical conclusion was
governments) agreed in August to governments have eased their strict finally reached, growers and workers
develop a national code to allow cross- border closures, which prevented were left in limbo for 10 days,” Nathan
border travel for agricultural workers. workers and residents from a range said.
of states from crossing the border
Citrus Australia is contributing to Nathan said growers working around
without written exemptions, which
the national code, which will involve the clock minimized damage caused
were difficult to obtain.
a consistent set of rules for the by the worker restrictions. Support
agriculture supply chain to cross state The NSW border closure in July from packers ensured quality fruit
boundaries more freely. prevented seasonal workers based in was delivered to domestic and export
Victoria from working on NSW farms. markets.
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock
said interstate border closures that After 10 days of lobbying, significant “Unfortunately soon after this issue
were issued by most states were done work with the NSW DPI and was resolved in NSW, we saw further
with very little warning and did not discussions with the NSW Agriculture restrictions implemented in border
seem to be based on evidence of Minister, the decision was overturned communities across Australia which
potential COVID-19 risk in the border for seasonal workers. Citrus Australia did not reflect the risk of COVID-19
communities. was relieved the citrus harvest in NSW transmission and unfairly impacted
resumed in July with minimal damage agribusiness continuity.”
“The crippling effect of health ministers
inflicted.
and departments with city-focussed “We sincerely hope that the national
policy making had a severe impact on Nathan said the initial decision to code will prevent growers and workers
borders around the country and the close the border with no warning from being placed in this situation
movement of ag workers,” he said. or consultation should have been again.”
avoided and urged the Government to
“So much of this could have been
consult with relevant communities and
resolved with proper consultation
industries before making such drastic
and if it was not driven by the health
changes in future.
departments alone.”
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14 | Australian Citrus NewsNEWS
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Winter 2020 | 15NEWS
Compac partnership offers
great value for growers
Citrus Australia welcomes global sorting equipment specialist Compac, part of the TOMRA Food family,
as a Major Partner, with CEO Nathan Hancock saying Citrus Australia members will benefit greatly
from the relationship.
“We look forward to working together As part of the partnership, Compac will Compac provides integrated post-
and sharing Compac’s expertise and assist Citrus Australia in preparing a harvest solutions and services to the
technology with our members,” Nathan future overseas trip to North America global fresh produce industry using
said. for Citrus Australia members. the world’s most advanced grading
technology.
“The team at Compac will be an active Citrus Australia members will also gain
presence at our regional forums, introductory access to Packhouse Combining industry-leading solutions
and our biennial Tech and Market Academy – the industry’s leading with award-winning grading platforms
Outlook Forums, and also share new education and training platform for like Spectrim, the company’s mission
R&D through webinars on our online packhouse professionals. is to enable its customers to improve
channels.” returns, gain operational efficiencies,
Compac will also host a series of R&D
and ensure a safe food supply via
open days at its Australian facilities on
smart, usable technologies.
topics including Spectroscopy and Near
Infra-Red Technologies; and advances To achieve this, Compac operates
in external grading and sorting centers of excellence, regional offices
technologies. and manufacturing locations within the
United States, Europe, South America,
Compac Regional Director, ANZ,
Asia, Africa and Australasia.
Damien Gibson, said Compac, which
is headquartered in New Zealand, With a strong focus on technological
has been actively engaged with the innovation, research, and development,
Australian citrus community for over 30 Compac’s technical superiority and
years. market success lies in matching
advanced engineering and design
“Although we are headquartered out of
concepts with the differing and unique
New Zealand, Australia is our second
needs of its customers around the
home,” Damien said.
world.
“During this time, we have built an
Compac is a member of the TOMRA
unrivalled local knowledge, along with
Food family, active in over 80 markets
a dedicated Australian based team
worldwide. TOMRA Food offers the
covering all aspects of our business
widest range of food sorting and
including account management, full
peeling equipment available in the
service, customer support, and training.
food industry today, supplying optical
“Our market position gives us a unique sorting solutions for a multitude of food
insight into global best practices applications, for fresh and processed
and sharing this knowledge with food.
Citrus Australia members will help to
strengthen the industry and foster
innovation and new ways of working.”
“Citrus Australia’s relationship with
Compac will provide unparalleled
access to the technology, people, and
resources within the TOMRA Group,
and opportunities for Citrus Australia
members to strengthen their own
businesses, and to collectively grow the
value of Australian Citrus.”
Left: Damien Gibson,
Compac Regional Director, ANZ.
16 | Australian Citrus NewsNEWS
edp australia demonstrates
its commitment to Australian
citrus industry
edp australia pty ltd continues to Forum. This will be edp australia pty “As part of this, edp and Giro will
demonstrate its commitment to ltd third Major sponsorship of the produce a biannual magazine featuring
the Australian citrus industry by Market Outlook Forum event. the latest information on best global
renewing its Major Partner status with practices in sustainability, technology
“We look forward to building on our
Citrus Australia. and new machinery, exclusively for
relationship with both edp and Giro.
Citrus Australia members. It is part of
The Australian company, based in We have been working together
our goal to raise awareness of existing
Mooroopna, Victoria, is a leading to increase the benefits for our
opportunities beyond our border.
supplier of fresh fruit and vegetable members,” Mr Hancock said.
grading and packaging solutions, “edp and Giro will also work with
General Manager Ray Thrum explains
including machinery and consumables. Citrus Australia, COVID-19 permitting,
that edp australia pty ltd has been
to hold a grower tour to Spain in 2022,
edp australia pty ltd also has a supplying manufactured and
and fund the trip of one citrus grower.
long-term relationship with Spanish packaging turnkey solutions to its
The tour will visit Giro facilities and
company Giro, a leader in sustainable citrus customers for over a decade.
major Spanish citrus businesses, led by
packaging systems.
edp australia pty ltd provides edp Business Development Manager,
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock the marketplace with locally Mick Schirmer.
said Citrus Australia members had stocked consumables, dedicated
“We look forward to continuing our
greatly benefitted from the 5-year service technicians and provides a
relationship with Citrus Australia and
relationship with edp australia pty ltd, wealth of knowledge to the Citrus
its members.”
which has also been the major sponsor Australia members.
of the biennial Market Outlook Forum
“We are committed to sharing this
during this time. R
knowledge in a very practical way to
In addition to the Major Partnership, assist the continued growth of this
edp will renew its status as major industry and its growers,” Ray said.
sponsor for the 2022 Market Outlook
edp with Giro have been the major sponsor of the past two Citrus Australia Market Outlook Forums and will also continue this support. Giro sales director
David Porta spoke at this year’s Forum and will expand his support under the new deal.
Winter 2020 | 17JOIN US
TODAY
WE INVITE ALL GROWERS TO JOIN AS MEMBERS
Taking a membership with Citrus
Australia provides additional funds
to invest in our team and programs,
including government liaison, which
will become more critical as we provide
grower representation in the areas
of labour, water, biosecurity, market
access, agrichemicals, infrastructure,
energy, research and development.
MEMBERS ALSO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
Nominate to represent Unlock the members Get your special invitation Own a piece of
your fellow growers on the section of the Citrus to Citrus Australia Citrus Australia
Citrus Australia board Australia website meetings and events
Nominate to represent your Be the first to hear of new Access citrus industry
fellow growers on one of data and information that communications to keep you
Citrus Australia’s eleven impacts your growing in the know-how, both on
committees decisions paper and online
For
18 more Citrus
| Australian information
News visit www.citrusaustralia.com.au or call (03) 5023 6333NEWS
Review underway
of ACCC Water
Markets Inquiry
interim report
c
Citrus Australia’s review of the interim report into water markets in
the Murray-Darling Basin by Inspector General Mick Keelty can be
summed up in a simple phrase – nothing changes if nothing changes.
Policy and Membership Officer Kerry Sixty-six per cent of the volume of
Thompson expressed frustration that approved water allocation trades in the
much of the report reflected on policy Southern Connected Basin in 2018-2019
and reviews from previous years all had a reported price of $0.
calling out the same issues.
“It is no secret that the Murray Darling
Entering $0 trades is an easy way to
manipulate the true value of the market,
Citrus growers,
Basin is complex due to the levels of
government involved, the report goes in
by only reporting high priced trades to
bump it up.
don’t gamble
to great depth to explain this, but these
Brokers do not have to provide a reason
issues are not unfamiliar to growers or
for this because the current regulations
to past inquiries,” she said.
and processes do not require it.
Extreme temperature ranges
The ACCC found that water users
“The ACCC found that the are here to stay. That means
do not trust the water market and
inconsistencies in the trade processes
believes that increased regulation and
between states meant that the ‘new managing frost risk to avoid
compliance is required to build back
products’ beyond entitlement and
that trust.
allocation transfers such as options,
The report states that many of the forwards, contractual leases have Calculate the R.O.I. by
Basin’s issues are grounded in failure increased financial risk to water users
of governance, and the market has due the lack of transparency, reporting
outgrown its original design. and infrastructure.” FROSTBOSS C49.
“Because of the substantial differences The ACCC has so far acknowledged the
in Basin States’ entitlement frameworks issues Citrus Australia has highlighted
and trade processes, trade is on behalf of industry. However, the bossthefrost.com.au
cumbersome for individual traders,” ACCC need more clarity and detail on
Kerry said. certain matters so please respond to
our survey which is coming out soon
“These differences result in more than
150 classes of water in the Basin making We look forward to the Inspector
trade incredibly complex.” General’s final report but more
importantly the change that’s got to
The report identifies two broad
come.
grouping of issues with brokers, client Ben Daking
facing (i.e. not disclosing to the buyer M +61 448 111 384
how much the water is being sold for),
P 1800 797 629
and market facing (i.e. registering $0
trades to manipulate the market). Please contact Kerry Thompson E info@aussiefrostfans.com.au
by email at Kerry.Thompson@ aussiefrostfans.com.au
Citing an audit conducted by the citrusaustralia.com.au
MDBA which found gaps in state
process which allowed $0 trades to be
recorded and that over 50% of trades
FRF 1011
sampled were not compliant.
Winter 2020 | 19NEWS
ROD ULCOQ 1927-2020
When a 2300km road
trip turned the fortunes of
Gayndah growers
It was the late 1950s and farmers again above the (graft) union. That’s Darrow and an introduction into the
growing citrus in the Gayndah region where they learnt how to grow it. That world of citrus.
of Queensland were under pressure. block was where all the nutrition and
Employed as a farmhand for Les,
Their popular Glen Retreat mandarin all the management of the Imperial
Rod met Brisbane girl – Iris – who
had competition. mandarin, all the trial work on that
was working as a nurse at the
variety, was done.”
The rivalry came from a new variety Gayndah hospital.
gaining interest and attention in the With the assistance of Queensland
Rod and Iris married and had eight
domestic market “down south”. Department of Primary Industries
children, with many of their sons
employee John Chapman, Rod and
Intrigued, Rod Ulcoq and Robin going onto work in, own or operate
Robin took 20 years to discover “what
Darrow hit the road to Sydney – citrus orchards.
was required to grow good quality
they were both working for local
Imperial Mandarins in the Central Nick recalled his dad’s passion for
grower Les Darrow – and wanted to
Burnett area”. producing quality fruit, managing
understand what all the new variety
trees, learning and innovation.
fuss was about. To start with, they realised Imperials
grown in the more humid climate Rod was among a group of up to 10
The 2300km round trip would become
of Queensland ripened six weeks citrus growers who established the
historically significant for the state, the
earlier than those produced further local grower owned co-operative
citrus industry, and the Gayndah locals.
south. They also had the most called Gaypak. The founding growers
When Robin and Rod returned, they success growing the budwood on had the foresight to promote cohesion
introduced the first Imperial mandarins Cleopatra rootstock. among the local smaller growers as it
to the Central Burnett region. was becoming uneconomical for these
Nick was not sure why they chose the
businesses to upgrade their packing
The Central Burnett Imperials would Cleopatra rootstock but, at the time, it
lines, according to Nick.
go on to provide earlier domestic was a rootstock used in the area.
market supply of Australia’s favourite
“It suited their climate a lot better,”
commercially grown mandarin.
Nick said. “They were in a more humid
Rod Ulcoq passed away in February climate and that led to issues as well
at the age of 92. His son, Nick, said his with disease up here.”
father never recalled scepticism about
This research developed standards for
the introduction of the Imperial.
nitrogen and potassium levels as well
“I just think the growers in the area as general management guidelines for
felt they were getting pressure in growing Imperials.
the market because of their varieties
Nick’s brother Tim Ulcoq manages the
and needed to look at new varieties,”
Mount Debatable orchard now.
he said.
He said there were still about 250 of
Not long after returning from Sydney,
the original trees on the property—
Rod, his wife Iris and Robin Darrow
they make-up about 3 per cent of the
– Les Darrow’s son – and his wife
total planting.
Jennine set up their first orchard at
the foot of Mount Debatable on the
Starting out in citrus
Burnett River.
Rod was working on the local
The business partners planted 1000
Arambanga Cattle Station, when
Imperial mandarin trees in 1960 – the
he had a chance meeting with Les
first commercial block of that variety in
the region.
Rod Ulcoq brought the first Imperial
“That winter they all got frosted,” Nick
mandarin trees to the Burnett region of
said. “Fortunately, they shot away Queensland.
20 | Australian Citrus NewsNEWS
Quality counts into the Brisbane, Sydney and per cent of the orchard to 45 per cent.
Melbourne markets.
“(Dad) was always very particular “It was always a very popular
about the quality of fruit he’d provide Their “much better fruit size” and mandarin, but there just aren’t enough
to Gaypak,” Nick said. “Often, when early maturity placed them in a unique people in Australia to buy what we
we were picking as kids, he’d say, ‘don’t market position. grow,” Nick said. “It is easy to peel,
pick that fruit, there’s too many marks very sweet, it doesn’t have a lot of
Imperial Mandarins became
on it’ and he didn’t want to send it in.” seeds. Plus, it fits a window, April to
the “mainstay” of the Mount
May, when there isn’t a lot of citrus
“He was pretty proud of the fruit Debatable orchard.
fruit available.”
he’d grown and became a pretty
The Ulcoq and Darrow families farmed
well-renowned grower of quality
in partnership at Mount Debatable Moving with the times
Imperial mandarins.”
until 20 years ago when Rod and
Nick said his father willingly embraced
Rod focused on quality right Iris bought the entire property and
change in the citrus industry and was
from the first trees he planted at expanded their family business.
often at the forefront of developments
Mount Debatable.
At the time, Ulcoq Citrus Orchards due to his involvement in the local fruit
“(Imperials) were probably not a already owned other properties in growers’ association, water boards and
difficult variety to get growing, but the region. other local industry committees.
it was difficult to grow the quality of
Since, the Mount Debatable orchard “When we would talk to him later
fruit,” Nick explained. “In Queensland
has been sold. about things, and the new ideas being
the tree is very vigorous compared to
put into industry in last 20 to 30 years,
NSW because of the different climate, Other Ulcoq orchards have
there were a lot of things he had
management of the tree size was been purchased by individual
already been doing or had learnt how
a challenge. family members.
to do to produce good fruit,” Nick said.
“Dad was always adamant about the Nick and his wife Deb own one
“One example, a few years ago,
importance of pruning to get good of the family’s orchard’s closer to
people started talking about reducing
quality fruit. All his orchard life, the Mundubbera. It was originally 14ha and
irrigation before harvest, drying down
quality of fruit he grew was quite they expanded it to 24ha.
the trees to get good quality fruit. Dad
exceptional and being the first Imperial
Like many growers, Nick and Deb had been doing that for 30-40 years,
mandarin grower, he learnt to grow
have had to respond to the market it wasn’t anything new in that sense. It
them really well.”
oversupply of Imperial mandarins was one of the things he learned as he
The Imperial mandarins from the during the past decade. The couple grew Imperial mandarins.”
Central Burnett region were sold reduced their planting from up to 70
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