Facts
Grapes are Nature’s Wonder Fruit
- Grapes are one of nature’s super foods because they confer so many health benefits.
- Grapes have low GI certification from the Glycemic Index Foundation meaning they’re a great source of long-lasting energy and a perfect pick-me-up when you’re peckish.
- Grapes are 80% water to keep you hydrated throughout the day while their natural fructose provides energy and vitality.
- Grapes contain lots of fibre to help cleanse and detoxify the system and they are a good source of Vitamin C which helps maintain a strong immune system.
- Grapes contain resveratrol, a substance found in the skin, which has been found to protect against inflammation, viruses, ageing and heart disease.
- They also contain Vitamin B6, vital for a healthy nervous system, and red grapes boast the same beneficial antioxidants as red wine – but without the alcohol.
Australian Table Grapes are the Perfect Snack
- A Newspoll survey shows that snacking is a national pastime (96% polled had snacked at least once in the previous week), but some of the snacking is not the healthiest – 64% said they had snacked on chocolate or lollies in the previous seven days, 59% had consumed sweet biscuits, 56% had eaten cake or pastries and 54% had chomped on potato chips.
- Australian table grapes are the perfect snack because they taste fresh, sweet and juicy, they’re convenient – because there’s no peeling or cutting, you can take them anywhere and store them easily – and they’re a perfect bite size that’s also easy to share.
- In fact they’re so good why note carry a snap-lock bag so you can Munch-A-Bunch-A-Grapes anytime, anywhere.
- Plus they can be added to a whole host of recipes – from delicious summer salads to fruit kebabs.
Munch-A-Bunch-A-Aussie-Grapes – They’re the Best!
- Australia has the best quality grapes in the world with an excellent range of succulent varieties to suit all tastes.
- The geographical spread of grape growing regions – from northern Queensland and the Northern Territory to southern Victoria and through Western Australia – means Australians can enjoy fresh Australian grapes for about seven months of the year from the beginning of November til the end March.
- Our grapes are so good that Australians are now munching through twice as many bunches than they were 10 years ago.
- Table grapes have also taken over as the country’s leading horticulture export, providing tangible benefits for Australian growers and the national economy.
High Quality Exporter of Fruit
Australia is considered a niche, high quality exporter of fruit. Its key advantages are the following:
- Australia is counter season to countries in the northern hemisphere. This allows Australia to complement trade with the northern hemisphere suppliers.
- Compared to the United States and Europe, Australia’s geographical location allows for shorter shipping times to Asia which results in lower transport costs and better access to fresh chilled markets.
Australia exported $189 Million worth of table grapes to 33 different countries around the world in 2008-2009. This is equivalent to 70 thousand tonnes.
Production
The table grape industry produced 119,505 tonnes in the 2008-2009 season based on levy collections. This is a 17.4% increase from last year but a 7.5% decrease from the 2007 season. 2008-2009 was considered a good season with 59% of production exported. This is a 73% increase from 2006-2007 season.
2009 season took table grapes to the position as the largest export horticulture category with $189M in export $ sales equivalent to 70 thousand tonnes. With exports at a high, domestic supply was down by 44% from the 2006/07 season.
Table grape production or annual volume is largely dependent upon the favourability of seasonal conditions, especially during the growing phase and harvesting of fruit. Australian is know for variability of climatic conditions across the major production regions from the East to West coast.
Australian Horticultural Exports Jan – Dec 2010 by product
|
Rank |
product |
2010$million |
change LY |
share |
|
1 |
citrus |
145.83 |
-24% |
19% |
|
2 |
almonds |
124.37 |
1% |
16% |
|
3 |
macadamia nuts |
89.49 |
9% |
11% |
|
4 |
table grapes |
81.35 |
-58% |
10% |
|
5 |
carrots/turnips |
54.82 |
7% |
7% |
|
|
Total exports |
778.99 |
-18% |
100% |
Source: ABS data; HAL analysis.
Local Consumption
Demand for Australian table grapes has seen local production double in the past 10 years – from 65,000 tonnes in 1998 to about 120,000 tonnes today. About 55% of grapes produced in Australia are consumed domestically.
Grapes are one of Australia’s Leading Horticulture Exports
- The table grape industry has grown from exporting 30,000 to 70,000 tonnes in the last 10 years, making grapes one of Australia’s largest horticulture exports.
- Hong Kong was the largest export market for Australian table grapes last season followed by Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East and New Zealand.
- Over 90% of total grape exports come from Victoria and New South Wales.
- Australia’s key exporting advantage is being counter season to the northern hemisphere, complementing trade with suppliers there. Also, compared to the United States, Europe and South America, Australia’s geographical location allows for shorter shipping times to Asia resulting in lower transport costs and better access to fresh chilled markets.
- Australian table grapes industry made a historic breakthrough in May 2011, exporting the first container of local produce to China six years after first trying to break into the market of 1.3 billion people.
