VICTORIA has been confirmed – again – as Australia’s largest fruit and nuts producer, accounting for about 90 per cent of peaches, 85 per cent of nectarines, 75 per cent of olives, 70 per cent of almonds, and 50 per cent of apples.
Victoria is Australia’s No.1 producer of table grapes and dried fruit, contributing to 70 per cent of national production – much of that driven by the Sunraysia, one of the nation’s premier food bowls.
Our state is also Australia’s largest vegetable producer, accounting for 25 per cent of national vegetable production.
Victoria is by far the largest exporter of horticultural products in Australia, responsible for 46 per cent of national exports in 2021-22. Victorian horticultural exports were valued at $1.4 billion in 2021-22 with more than 400,000 tonnes exported.
Horticulture exports performed well in 2021-22 despite continuing global supply-chain challenges and some difficult growing conditions.
Total Victorian horticulture exports increased in value by 1 per cent, despite volumes declining 4 per cent on the back of difficult seasonal conditions affecting harvest yields and quality for many commodities.
This included restricted spring growth, high rainfall during harvest causing quality issues and mild weather slowing maturity and extending the season.
Additionally, most commodities experienced significant labour shortages for the harvest period, further impacting on final product quantity and quality.
Almonds were the highest-value horticulture export commodity for Victoria in 2021-22, valued at $432 million, slightly ahead of table grapes, valued at $408 million.
In 2021-22 almond exports rose 12 per cent in value while table-grape exports declined 5 per cent in value and 11 per cent in volume on the previous year.
Processed fruit and vegetable exports continued to increase in 2021-22, up 15 per cent to $77 million. Citrus and stone fruits also continued to be significant horticulture exports for Victoria in 2021-22, valued at $150 million and $92 million respectively.
Victorian horticulture export markets are predominantly in Asia. China remained the largest market for horticulture exports in 2021-22, valued at $381 million, down 9 per cent on the previous year.
Exports to Vietnam, Victoria’s second-largest horticulture export market, increased by 36 per cent on the previous year to $120 million in 2021-22. Exports of table grapes to Vietnam more than doubled, with improved market access due to the acceptance of irradiation phytosanitary treatment into this market.
Exports to India and Indonesia, the third and fourth-largest markets for Victorian horticulture, increased by 16 per cent and 37 per cent respectively on the previous year.
