2013 Volume 16, Issue 42

Week Ending: 20/12/2013 Volume 16, Issue 42 Published by Apple & Pear Australia Limited Contents Australia Australian Made: Buy local or lose jobs ...
Author: Samantha Glenn
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Week Ending: 20/12/2013

Volume 16, Issue 42

Published by Apple & Pear Australia Limited

Contents Australia Australian Made: Buy local or lose jobs Apple Shed, core of new Tasmanian Cider Trail, to be opened this weekend South Australia prepares for Queensland fruit fly fight, travellers beware APAL a part of Australia Fresh trade mission in China Vegetable imports up as CAP help for EU fruit and vege’s tops €25bn Investigation into peach dumping canned Cabinet dampener on support for SPCA Government understating SPCA crisis, says Shadow industry Minister Health Star Rating system criticised, five stars for fresh produce please NSW Young cherry growers see exports as best means of survival Frost takes financial toll for Tumbarumba apple grower QFF has a free run following NSW DPI restructure Senate inquiry into citrus industry, why not a QFF national levy for all Farmers benefit from foreign aid Senate inquiry welcomed, as Fenthion an ‘integral part’ of growing stone fruit Senate inquiry welcomed by WA growers

New Zealand Psa bacteria found in Kerikeri orchard, 170mm rain event meant spread Biosecurity agreement brings new opportunity for growers Invention of vibrating post driver will avoid crushed fingers

UK / Europe Sainsbury’s £1m investment to help shape future farming UK: Apple a day health benefits similar to cholesterol lowering drug Blue Whale brand for 200 French fruit growers Jonagold premium following change to BFV pack Germany: apple consumption of 25.9kg per head, far exceeds banana levels

North America Productivity up for Washington apple growers ensures good crop Canada: apple growers to vote on research and promotion levy

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UK Market Report

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Information about APWN and Disclaimer

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Australia Australian Made: Buy local or lose jobs Foodmagazine, 12 December 2013 The Australian Made campaign is calling upon consumers to buy local or face further job losses in light of the recent announcements from Ford and Holden that they will no longer be manufacturing cars in Australia past 2017. Key food manufacturers in Australia including SPC Ardmona, Simplot and McCain have felt the pressure from cheaper imports resulting in the slashing of local contracts in order to cut costs and compete in the marketplace. Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive, Ian Harrison said that Ford and Holden have now joined the long line of companies that have made the decision to manufacture offshore rather than locally – including food giant Heinz. “The real disappointment is that consumers in Australia seem not to understand that there will be consequences when they elect to buy imported products, as they have done with motor cars,” Harrison said. “Continuing on this trajectory will have dire consequences for Australian industry, Australian jobs and Australian communities. “Our message to consumers is to invest in great Australian products and produce, to help build a sustainable future, or risk losing more industries and more jobs, putting pressure on the entire economy and families all over the country,” he said. “We hope that this confronting truth will make consumers stop and think about the knock-on effects of their purchasing decisions before buying.”

Apple Shed, core of new Tasmanian Cider Trail, to be opened this weekend Williesmiths.com.au, 15 December 2013 A key component of the soon-to-be-developed Tasmanian Cider Trail will be officially opened this weekend. The Apple Shed is the next stage in the rapid expansion of the Willie Smith Cider brand – which started last year as a way to value-add to the organic apple orchard run by the Smith family at Grove, in the Huon Valley. After months of back breaking work, an original old 1942-built apple packing shed – which housed a museum – has been restored to its former glory. The facility, developed at a cost of more than $450,000, including a State Government grant of $150,000, has been inspired by European cider houses. Return to front page 2

The Apple Shed includes a re-interpretation of the museum, a providore-style shop highlighting the best Huon Valley produce on offer and will offer a menu of simple regional and seasonal produce developed to accompany refreshments from Willie Smith’s Organic Cider and another internationallyacclaimed cider, Red Sails, produced at nearby Middleton. The Federal Government has committed $60,000 to the development of a cider trail through the $100 million forestry peace deal funding and the Willie Smiths team is confident The Apple Shed will play a key role in attracting visitors to the Huon Valley. “We’re conscious that Tasmania competes internationally for the tourist dollar and so we felt we had to do something world class to draw people down here and to do justice to the quality of the Willie Smiths Organic Cider,” co-owner Sam Reid said. For the Smith family, the new development is a step in the right direction to return Tasmania to the apple isle it was once renowned for.

South Australia prepares for Queensland fruit fly fight, travellers beware ABC Broken Hill, 18 December 2013 As families and travellers pack up their cars, caravans and campers to hit the road these holidays they are being warned to be ‘fruit fly aware’ to ensure South Australia (SA) remains free of the pest. Primary Industries and Region’s SA (PIRSA) is upping its protection level this summer through a number of measures. In the Mallee, the permanent roadblock quarantine station at Pinnaroo will be open for twice as many hours this summer and will close a month later than usual. The number of mobile random roadblocks will also double this season, with most to be conducted in the Riverland. Travellers who fail to declare fruit or vegetables face fines of $375. To increase public awareness, PIRSA will distribute fruit fly literature to information centres, caravan parks, general stores, motels and houseboat hire companies in SA, New South Wales and Victoria. Commercial deliveries of fruit into the Riverland will also be heavily scrutinised with more trucks and vehicles subject to audits. The state’s four quarantine station sites at Yamba, Pinnaroo, Ceduna and Yunta will have electronic billboards onsite warning travellers not to bring fruit into South Australia or into the Riverland from other areas of the state. Minister for Agriculture Gail Gago said the decision by the eastern states to reduce their fruit fly control programs led to these increased measures. “We have to do this, the deregulation of activities – particularly in Victoria – have exposed us to increased risk here in South Australia,” she said. “They’ve reduced their status now to an endemic status, they are no longer eradicating fruit fly, except in the Sunraysia area. That places increased risks on our horticulture areas to be exposed to fruit fly. Return to front page 3

“Our horticulture industry is worth a great deal to this state, it’s a really important economic driver and our clean credentials are really important to our competitive edge in the marketplace.”

APAL a part of Australia Fresh trade mission in China Fresh Fruit Portal, 16 December 2013 Export initiative Australia Fresh recently held a trade mission in China, that organisers claim has helped strengthen ties between the two countries. The mission was held in step with a pavilion at the 5th China World Fruit & Vegetable Trade Fair (China FVF) in Beijing. Australia Fresh Program Director Agnes Barnard said that it was an important event, particularly for industries seeking market access to China or those who had recently gained access. “This is the third year that we have participated, and perhaps one of our best,” she said in a release. “The quality of visitors to the stand in the first two days has improved on previous years and Australia Fresh co-exhibitors received more commercial interest from fruit importers.” The pavillion had seven co-exhibitors from Australia, with Citrus Australia and Victorian Cherry Exporters joining Australia Fresh members Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the Australian Table Grape Association, Summerfruit Australia, Avocados Australia and the Australian Lychee Growers Association. “Briefings by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Austrade highlighted the benefits of trading under a united Australian banner and the need for ‘Team Australia’ to have a consistent message,” Ms Barnard said. “This is where Australia Fresh is so valuable in supporting member industries to gain a foothold in new markets.” Along with visits to Walmart, high end supermarket chain BHG and expat-focused Jenny Lou’s Supermarket, the delegates also visited Xinfadi Wholesale Agricultural Products Market, the largest wholesale market in Beijing and one of the biggest in the world. The mainland China trade mission was followed by a Taiwan trade mission with Australia Fresh members.

Vegetable imports up as CAP help for EU fruit and vege’s tops €25bn Industry Search, 16 December 2013 Vegetable imports from Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and France have collectively increased by an astounding 289 per cent or $45 million in value, since 2007-08. The majority of vegetable imports sourced from Europe are either processed or frozen, this includes canned tomatoes and tomato paste from Italy, prepared potatoes (i.e. fries) from Netherlands and Belgium and canned vegetables from Spain. Return to front page 4

“This increase in vegetable imports from European nations comes as no surprise to the industry,” said Andrew White, Manager of Industry Development and Communications, AusVeg, “particularly given the level of financial support they receive under the common agricultural policy.” The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides assistance to European farmers and comprises of three main elements: income support for farmers (direct payments); rural development (measures to help farmers modernise their farms and increase competitiveness); and market support (when bad weather destabilises markets). According to the European Commission, the CAP’s expenditure totalled €58 billion in 2011, accounting for 43 per cent of the European Union’s annual budget. Focusing on one of three elements of support for farmers, direct payments to fruit and vegetable growers in Italy totalled €247 million, Spain €224 million, Netherlands €102 million, France €100 million and Belgium received €55 million. The combined CAP expenditure (for all elements) of these five nations equated to around €25 billion, in 2011. White stated: “This type of support to growers creates an uneven playing field and makes Australian growers less competitive. Such support measures, coupled with Australia’s high operational costs, have already partly contributed to the demise of Australia’s processed vegetable industry.” Vegetable processing companies McCain Foods and Heinz shifted production facilities from Australia to New Zealand in 2010 and 2011 respectively. “Lower frozen vegetable exports are one of the trends we are experiencing since the emigration of Australia’s vegetable processing sector. Australian frozen vegetable exports have fallen by 35 per cent since 2009-10,” Mr White said. Click here to browse the Industry Search directory.

Investigation into peach dumping canned www.freshplaza.com , source: abc.net.au, 18 December 2013 Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commission has terminated its investigation into the dumping of South African canned peaches in Australia. Dumping is when an overseas company is exporting products at a lower value than in its home country. An investigation was started at the request of fruit processor SPC Ardmona (SPCA) – saying it can’t compete with cheap, unfair imports. The Anti-Dumping Commission has ruled that two South African companies are dumping peaches, but not by a great enough margin (more than 2 per cent) to warrant tariffs. The commission had earlier upheld a complaint from SPC Ardmona about dumped tinned tomatoes, saying tariffs could be imposed.

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Cabinet dampener on support for SPCA The Australian, from weeklytimesnow.com.au, 19 December 2013 Cabinet ministers have hit back at another plea for industry assistance amid fears of setting a “dangerous precedent” if they give in to demands from food processor SPC Ardmona (SPCA) to help cover its rising costs. The government is close to rejecting the company’s call for aid out of frustration that it needs taxpayer cash to generate a 14 per cent rate of return – sparking concerns that there would be no end to the list of companies wanting the same help. Ministers believe the food company bears the blame for its cost pressures amid suggestions it is paying $120,000 or more to dozens of workers. As Tony Abbott hardens his stance against subsidies, the government is putting the onus on SPCA and its parent, Coca-Cola Amatil, to make a stronger case for help after cabinet saw no need for urgent action this week. Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane named a trio of advisers on SPCA last month – former Labor Minister Greg Combet and business leaders Catherine Livingstone and Dick Warburton. Their early findings shaped this week’s discussions. A decision has been put off until the New Year to allow time for a final report from the Industry Department and co-ordinating comments from Treasury – which is said to oppose the assistance package. Word of the cabinet concerns spread last night and triggered a furious response from supporters of the company who said the internal rate of return was “significantly less” than the 14 per cent claimed. Taking aim at the economic “dries” within cabinet, Coalition sources said there were no excessive wages at SPCA and that most workers on the production line earned around $50,000. One put the return at less than 5 per cent over the next three years. Asked about SPCA recently, the Prime Minister said his message to the company was the same as his comments on Qantas when the airline sought government help to compete with Virgin. “You’ve got to get your house in order,” Mr Abbott said. Government support cannot substitute for strong management and strong management in a company under pressure starts with getting your costs down. The company’s main processing centre is in the electorate of Liberal MP Sharman Stone, a Howard government minister who has warned of the damage to the regional economy if the factory closes. Dr Stone said yesterday that the company had “slashed and burned and cut” to get costs under control, including closing two smaller factories to focus operations on Shepparton. “If we lose SPC Ardmona we will lose the last fruit manufacturer in Australia – and it will never be recovered,” she said. Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce highlighted the growers. “My concern is not about the company, it’s about the growers,” he said. “The company is merely an article to make sure the best returns go back to growers at the farm gate. The rest of my discussions I will keep private and within cabinet.”

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Government understating SPCA crisis, says Shadow industry Minister Weeklytimesnow.com.au, 19 December 2013 Labor has accused the Federal Government of turning its back on workers and families at SPC Ardmona (SPCA). Shadow Industry Minister Kim Carr said the Abbott Government was “understating the urgency and the magnitude” of the crisis facing the manufacturing sector. “Australia’s food processing industry is under enormous pressure, primarily from the sustained high Australian dollar and competition from imports,” he said. “The Prime Minister refuses to recognise this or put forward a plan to deal with it, choosing instead to blame workers and criticise companies.” Senator Carr said backing the company’s modernisation plan would secure thousands of jobs and the livelihood of growers who depended on the company. He said SPCA’s owner – Coca-Cola Amatil – had committed to $165 million in new investment in the company. “He pretends to decry ‘corporate welfare’, but promised $16 million to the Cadbury chocolate factory during the election,” he said. “Why do Cadbury workers deserve assistance but SPC Ardmona workers don’t? SPC Ardmona closing would be an enormous blow to the thousands of workers the company employs and those in the agricultural supply chain and would result in a significant loss in grower activities in the region.” Mr Abbott launched a $100 million industry fund yesterday in the wake of Holden’s decision to pull out of Australia in 2017 and did not rule out funding SPCA. “We may well make some modest investments from this fund in that way, but it will have to be a very strong case and it will have to be a case which is ticked off by sensible private business people,” he said. “It’s not – we’re not here about – we’re not here to sort of build a field of dreams. We are here to make sensible economically responsible decisions. “We are here to exercise very careful stewardship over taxpayers’ money.”

Health Star Rating system criticised, five stars for fresh produce please Weeklytimesnow.com.au, 18 December 2013 Australian health and agriculture ministers last week approved a new, voluntary, star rating system for food packaging, to help consumers make healthier diet choices. The Health Star Rating system will be made mandatory if a review after two years finds that voluntary implementation has been unsuccessful. The system is designed to give consumers at-a-glance information about the food they are buying through a star rating scale of one to five stars for packaged food products in Australia. The rating system takes into account the energy content, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fibre and what percentage of product is made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. The system has been supported by groups such as Choice, Diabetes Australia and the Heart Foundation, but rejected by producers and manufacturers who say the system presents unnecessary regulatory burden and will cost too much in new labelling. Return to front page 7

The Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation met in Melbourne last week. Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for food regulation considered a range of issues, including refinements to the Health Star Rating Calculator – the algorithm that generates the star rating for food products – to address some anomalies. When the proposed system was first released, the algorithm gave many nuts, fruit and vegetables ratings as low as 3 stars due to sugar and fat content, when many junk food items rated 2.5 stars. The algorithm has since been reviewed, and most fresh produce now rates at least four out of five stars. APAL Communications Officer Richelle Zealley said the industry was “very confused” as to why raw produce didn’t automatically receive a five-star rating. AusVeg spokesman William Churchill said the low rating could deter some consumers from selecting fresh produce. “These are some of the healthiest foods that are out there,” he said. “I’m not going to go out and start advocating for a star rating system to go on all fruit and vegetables when everybody already knows they’re super healthy for you and then have to tell growers that they’ve got to pay to put all this new labelling on their packaging. It’s added regulatory burden, for no real gain for the vegetable industry.” Nuts for Life Program Manager and Dietitian Lisa Yates said the nut industry has since managed to get nuts reviewed under the system. “I think this whole system is designed to help people make decisions between processed food and not necessarily designed to make people eat more fruit, vegetables, nuts and legumes,” she said. “I think it can be quite misleading to consumers.”

NSW Young cherry growers see exports as best means of survival www.freshplaza.com , source: canberratimes.com.au, 16 December 2013 Faced with bank foreclosures and smaller returns for their fruit, Young cherry growers see China and other new export markets as their best means of survival. Produce to Hong Kong finds its way to mainland China and a huge demand, but there more formal trade protocols await official approvals. Grower Scott Coupland said 10 Young district growers registered to export to China were still waiting for registrations and audits to be finalised. He said Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce’s goal of doubling Australia’s food production by 2050 was possible if producers received a fair return and access to capital. “'You don’t like to see handouts to bail people out of trouble, but you would like to see a system that can help farmers when a disaster strikes,” Mr Coupland said. This year’s harvest of smaller but sweeter cherries would help regain ground from last year’s poor season. Persistent winds during ripening this season has weakened the fruit. Many have dropped from their stems, making them unsaleable.

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Frost takes financial toll for Tumbarumba apple grower ABC Rural, 13 December 2013 Two months on since frost hit farms in the Riverina and Northern Victoria and some farmers are contemplating life off the land. For many grain growers, the full extent of the damage won’t be realised until after harvest. But one apple grower knows the financial losses will be significant and he’s decided to sell the farm. Dennis Duffy has been growing apples for 46 years at Tumbarumba in the Riverina Highlands. He said his orchard was hit by three frosts in October and after copping hail damage the two previous seasons, it was the final nail in the coffin. “The bank manager says I’m okay but how far do you go in? If we do sell, we’ll have something to get out with. If we keep on going, we’ll end up with nothing.” He said he normally picks between 4,500 to 5,500 bins of apples but after the frost damage to his orchard he estimated next year he’ll pick just 150 bins. Elsewhere in the region, grain farmers are still calculating the financial fallout from the October frost. Lisa Castleman, a cropping agronomist with the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority, said producers need to reassess their farm business management planning. “We all know that farmers diversify their enterprises to manage risk because not everything goes right in any given year. But if you only have wheat and canola down on that frost prone country, you’ve been exposed this year, will events like what’s happened this year ever happen again? It’s been said we now have a higher chance of late frosts with the seasons we’re having,” she said.

QFF has a free run following NSW DPI restructure ABC News, Riverina, NSW, 16 December 2013 Citrus growers in southern New South Wales (NSW) say they are frustrated the group in charge of helping to manage Queensland Fruit Fly has fallen behind in its suppression programs. The Riverina Biosecurity Committee lost its project officer mid-year during the NSW Department of Primary Industries restructure. President of Riverina Citrus Growers Bart Brighentti said as a result the spring bait spraying and education program have been overlooked. “There hasn’t been anything said to the growers to do any control or to the towns. The big concern for citrus growers is we are now at a total disadvantage to the other two states when it comes to exporting,” he said. He said to treat the fruit with cold-sterilisation costs around $240 per tonne.

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Senate inquiry into citrus industry, why not a QFF national levy for all Weeklytimesnow.com.au, 17 December 2013 A Senate inquiry into the Australian citrus industry has found its industry body needs to be more inclusive and representative. The committee recommended the industry work with Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) to address apparent conflicts of interest created by having directors and/or employees of Citrus Australia on the Citrus Independent Advisory Committee and IAC Technical Reference Committee. The report was tabled in Federal parliament yesterday and also recommended Citrus Australia review its structure and introduce changes that provided all growers and other stakeholders with a more democratic and regionally representative peak industry body, allowing small participants a meaningful say in the direction of their industry. The committee found Citrus Australia needed to develop an equitable balance between the need for industry “presence” in terms of production volumes, allowing small participants a meaningful say in the direction of their industry and to provide for consistency in the selection of regional advisory bodies. When it came to biosecurity, the committee recommended the Federal and state governments continue to support the National Fruit Fly Strategy with a view to implementing key recommendations which would reduce the cost and effort to growers and industry of managing fruit fly. In conjunction and consultation with horticultural industries, the Australian Government should consider the introduction of a national fruit fly levy across all industries associated with host material, to help fund the implementation of the National Fruit Fly Strategy, the report said. “The Committee recommends that an integrated approach be taken to the management of fruit fly at both a national and regional level, to ensure that regionally-specific fruit fly issues...are managed appropriately.”

Farmers benefit from foreign aid Weeklytimesnow.com.au, 17 December 2013 Foreign aid spent on agricultural research projects in developing countries generates as much benefit for Australian farmers as it does for those nations being assisted. The Doing Well by Doing Good report conducted for the Crawford Fund concludes that the return on investment for the $2.5 billion of aid directed into international agricultural research in the past three decades has been between $50 and $70 for every dollar spent, The Australian reports. About one-third of these benefits – a return of approximately 16:1 – flowed back to Australian farmers through improved varieties of crops, new research and initiatives that improved on-farm profits and production. Return to front page 10

A five-man taskforce headed by former federal Liberal Parliamentary Speaker Neil Andrew cautioned against reducing aid funding for agricultural research in developing countries because of the massive benefits delivered back to Australia.

Senate inquiry welcomed, as Fenthion an ‘integral part’ of growing stone fruit Weeklytimesnow.com.au, 18 December 2013 Fruit growers have called the restricted chemical fenthion an integral part of their growing methods. This comes amid the launch of a Senate inquiry into effects of the restriction on the industry. Liberal and Labor senators on the Rural Affairs Committee previously brokered an easing of the restriction last year, after farmers in fruit fly areas argued they needed the chemical to combat the pest. The Senate inquiry, likely to be co-chaired by Labor Senator Glenn Sterle and Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan, will look at the roles and responsibilities of federal departments and agencies and state and territory governments in relation to the regulation of pesticides and veterinary chemicals. It will also take into consideration the short and long-term impact of the fenthion restriction on stakeholders, the effectiveness and sustainability of alternative chemicals to manage fruit fly and transition arrangements following the restriction on the use of the chemical. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is conducting an ongoing review of fenthion, which includes human safety considerations, residues in food, worker safety and the environment. Summerfruit Australia Limited Chief Executive Officer John Moore said many of his members still viewed fenthion an integral part of growing methods. “We’ll have to abide by the ruling of the inquiry, but it’s a relief to many that we’ll have a discussion about it with all views put forward,” he said.

Senate inquiry welcomed by WA growers In My Community, 17 December 2013 A Senate committee will investigate the impact of a partial pesticide ban on Western Australia (WA) fruit growers, including those in the Perth Hills. Growers reported unsustainable crop losses after a federal authority restricted the use of fruit fly killer fenthion over health concerns. The WA Government has declared several areas infested, including the Swan, Mundaring, Kalamunda, Gosnells, Armadale and Serpentine-Jarrahdale council areas and land from Carnarvon to Bunbury. It has championed an alternative fruit fly control method, area wide management, which relies on rigorous baiting, trapping and orchard hygiene. Growers fear this method will not be effective by the time the federal body hands down a final decision on fenthion next year, because area wide management relies on the vigilance of backyard growers as well as commercial operators. Return to front page 11

“That may be too late for us,” Hills Orchard Improvement Group (HOIG) spokesman Brett DelSimone said. He said the inquiry announcement was fantastic and if it proved as effective as anticipated, might lead to an inquiry into the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). “This is a huge coup for a group of our size and the product of some hard work and smart lobbying,” he said. The Senate committee will report by 25 June on state and federal agencies’ roles in regulating pesticides; impacts on industry; the effectiveness of other chemicals on fruit fly; and transition arrangements after the fenthion bans, including area wide management. Submissions close on 28 January.

New Zealand Psa bacteria found in Kerikeri orchard, 170mm rain event meant spread www.freshplaza.com , source: tvnz.co.nz, 13 December 2013 The bacteria that has devastated kiwifruit orchards in New Zealand has been found on a farm in Kerikeri. Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) has confirmed tests from two separate laboratories on a female vine in a kiwifruit orchard in Kerikeri received Psa-V positive test results. While this is not the first PsaV positive result in the Kerikeri region it has been more than a year since the first positive orchard was identified in October 2012. The newly-affected orchard is within the existing ‘Kerikeri Controlled Area’ established in October 2012 and 8 kilometres from the first positive orchard. KVH Chief Executive Barry O’Neil said the infected vine was found during a monitoring round to determine if Psa-V was present in the orchard. “This will be a big disappointment to Kerikeri growers,” he said, “as the disease has not been evident in the Kerikeri region for more than 12 months. “Kerikeri experienced a significant weather event recently, with up to 170 millimetres of rain falling on the region,” said Mr O’Neil. “This highlights the importance of regular monitoring to detect the disease early, and applying a crop protection prior to weather events that allow Psa-V to spread. These include prolonged periods of rain and wind.”

Biosecurity agreement brings new opportunity for growers www.freshplaza.com , source: hortnz.co.nz, 17 December 2013 New Zealand’s commercial fruit and vegetable growers can now contribute as equal partners and decision-makers on biosecurity decisions which have a huge impact on their businesses. Cabinet has approved the Deed agreement which will allow primary industry and the government to work together as partners on biosecurity protection. This official partnership, known as ‘GIA’ or ‘government industry agreements’, comes after more than eight years of discussion, negotiation, submissions and reviews. Return to front page 12

Horticulture New Zealand has played a key role in the development of GIA and the Deed. “At times this has been a very difficult process for both industry and government,” HortNZ President Julian Raine said. “But in the end, everyone appreciates we can’t continue as we are. We need better biosecurity and by working together we think we have a better chance of achieving that.” Biosecurity protection is essential to New Zealand and is one of the biggest risks growers face. “The cost of a biosecurity pest or disease incursion can run into $100s of millions, it closes down overseas markets, hugely increases production costs and in some cases, destroys our ability to grow crops.” The idea behind GIA is simple – primary industry works with government agencies to establish what the threats are and how they will be dealt with, before they arrive. “There is a catch, in that the industry will now be expected to pay its share of the cost of this additional management. “Some of our affiliated Product Groups will agree and some won’t. It is a decision that each of them will need to discuss with their growers. The main thing is there is now the opportunity to get a seat at the decision-making table and some parts of horticulture have been calling for this for a long time,” Mr Raine said.

Invention of vibrating post driver will avoid crushed fingers Stuff.co.nz, source: Fairfax NZ News, 15 December 2013 A Marlborough contractor has invented a safe way of driving vineyard posts into the ground. John Weatherall said losing his right index finger when it was crushed by a hammer-driver got him thinking about safer ways of doing the job. “I was holding the post while operating the driver when the top 300 millimetres was crushed with my finger amongst it,” Mr Weatherall said. Five years and many refinements later he has a vibrating-press driver he is happy with, developed with Hamilton’s Machinery Ltd of Rapaura near Blenheim. Last week he was using the machine to ram posts at a vineyard being developed for Delegat’s Wine Estate, on the Northbank of the Wairau River. Rather than pounding posts into the ground, his invention uses a hydraulic ram behind a tractor to force them into the soil. If a post strikes resistance, the worker activates the vibrating press. “As soon as mesh on the plate grips the post you can take your hand away. Shaking through the post shoves any rocks out of the way. The guy working behind the tractor has total control,” he said. Mr Weatherall said if a traditional hammer-driver struck a rock, the worker had to hold the post to stop it skewing out of line which was how he lost his finger. Many vineyard contractors used a digger and vibrating press with one worker driving, while 2-4 others held posts in place, at least two tonnes of steel poised over their heads. He tried this system but found it labour-intensive and dangerous so went to Hamilton’s machinery to design an alternative. The prototype vibrating press was shaken apart after only two days, but many modifications later, Mr Weatherall is happy with his machine, which he is considering patenting. Return to front page 13

UK / Europe Sainsbury’s £1m investment to help shape future farming www.freshplaza.com , source: j-sainsbury.co.uk, 16 December 2013 Sainsbury’s has handed out over £1 million to its farmers and growers. Announced to over 700 farmers and suppliers at Sainsbury’s annual farming conference, the investment grants are set to drive the future of agriculture. The 13 allocated projects are set to improve animal health and welfare, efficiencies and supply chain resilience at field level and development of new products or processes which help to improve quality, taste and freshness. The application for entries was opened in September to Sainsbury’s 2,500 British farmers and growers with support from Farming Minister, David Heath. This year saw 56 entries submitted – 21 of these were shortlisted across 14 sectors. The average awarded amount per project is £77,000 including a project to investigate methods of improving the yield of UK pears by optimising pollination.

UK: Apple a day health benefits similar to cholesterol lowering drug Fresh Produce Journal, fpj.co.uk, 18 December 2013 An apple a day could prevent or delay around 8,500 deaths from heart attacks or strokes every year in the United Kingdom (UK), according to new University of Oxford research. The benefits of prescribing an apple a day to anyone over 50 would be similar to the health benefits from statins – a common drug used to lower cholesterol. Researchers compared the effect of taking one statin a day with eating one apple a day, during medical trials and observations of hundreds of patients. The study, published in the BMJ, calculated that if at least seven out of 10 patients followed advice, statins could save 9,400 lives and an apple a day could save 8,500 lives a year. Dr Briggs, from the British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group at Oxford University, said: “The Victorians had it about right when they came up with their brilliantly clear and simple public health advice: ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. “It just shows how effective small changes in diet can be, and that both drugs and healthier living can make a real difference in preventing heart disease and stroke. While no-one currently prescribed statins should replace them for apples, we could all benefit from simply eating more fruit.”

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Blue Whale brand for 200 French fruit growers Meltwater News, 19 December 2013 “This year’s apple crop is good,” according to Thomas Decoudun, Export Sales Executive of the Blue Whale Company (France). “Volumes have reached the same figures as last season (2011-2012). The fruit have an attractive colour and their quality is excellent thanks to favourable weather conditions this year.” Blue Whale is the leading French exporter of apples grown in the South of France, the Alps and the Loire Valley. Two hundred fruit growers have united under Blue Whale brand, created in 1950. They cultivate 2,725 hectares of orchards, growing 12 varieties of apples, as well as plums, grapes, strawberries and kiwifruit. Like blue whales, the company’s apples are used to long migrations, as they are exported to more than 70 destinations all over the world. Beside traditional varieties Blue Whale markets club types of apple like Pink Lady™ and Arianne. “We recently started the production and marketing of organic apples,” Mr Decoudun said. “The demand for them is small but steadily increasing. Generally, the demand for our apples keeps growing, especially in the Middle East and North Africa.”

Jonagold premium following change to BFV pack www.freshplaza.com , source: bfv.be, 13 December 2013 The Belgian Fruitveiling BFV introduced a new concept in the marketing of Jonagold. The variety has had image problems for years now, but is still the most eaten apple in Belgium. A choice was made by BFV from the various types of the Jonagold. These are subdivided into a group of red Jonagolds (Jonaplus) and a group of the classic green-red mutations (Truval Classic). In this new approach the basic principle is that clients are offered a uniform product, which will regain its place in the area of quality in the top segment. On 10 December the first volumes were auctioned and the prices were very good. Filip Lowette, director of BFV said: “It is clear that the trade is ready for good new concepts. The prices of the ‘common’ Jonagold to that of Truval Classic and Jonaplus varied from 40 cents to 1.05 Euro. For the best quality more than Euro 1.00 was paid, that was clearly an exception. The new Jonagold can without a doubt be a match for Pink Lady. And also in the areas of presentation, display period and taste.” He said they auction approximately 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of pears each week. “Eighty per cent of our pears are meant for export, of which Russia is the main market. Also more pears are exported to China each year. At the moment about 10 containers per week go into the direction of South-East Asia, of which the larger part is destined for the Chinese mainland.”

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Germany: apple consumption of 25.9kg per head, far exceeds banana levels www.freshplaza.com , 17 December 2013 The apple is still the most appreciated fruit variety of the Germans, as mentioned on the German website Proplanta.de. With a consumption of 25.9 kilograms per person per annum the apple is far ahead of the banana, which is in second place as the most appreciated fruit variety. With 10.5 kilograms per person the consumption of bananas decreased slightly in 2011/2012. Bananas are mostly exported to Germany from Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica most of the apples in Germany come from the federal state of Lower Saxony.

North America Productivity up for Washington apple growers ensures good crop www.freshplaza.com , source: bestapples.com, 13 December 2013 In the face of decreasing acreage over the last several years, Washington’s apple growers have continually improved productivity. That has helped the state’s growers return another big apple crop this year, which, though it is less than last year’s record-setting crop, is the second-largest crop in state history. “Volume was less than anticipated this year,” President of the Washington State Apple Commission Todd Fryhover said. “Even with big volumes here and in Pennsylvania and New York, there’s remarkable optimism right now. “It’s going to be an okay year; not super and not bad, but adequate.”

Canada: apple growers to vote on research and promotion levy www.freshplaza.com , source: kelownacapnews.com, 13 December 2013 Orchardists around the Okanagan will be receiving information in the mail this coming week encouraging them to vote on a proposal for an apple commission that would fund industry research and promotion from a levy on all apple production. The B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association proposal for an Apple Research and Promotion Agency (ARPA) requires that 40 per cent of growers vote and that 60 per cent of those vote in favour of the initiative, explained manager Glen Lucas.

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UK Market Report Fresh Produce Journal, www.fpj.co.uk, 13 December 2013, United Kingdom wholesale apple & pear prices. Price range indicates across one or more UK wholesale markets.

Variety

Source

Pack

Braeburn Cox Fuji G. Dels G. Smith McIntosh Red Pink Kiss Pink Lady Pink Lady Red Chief Red Del’s Red Del’s R. Gala

France UK Italy France France Canada France France Sth Africa France Italy USA France

12.0kg 12.0kg 13.0kg 12.0kg 12.0kg 18.0kg 12.0kg 13.0kg 70 13.0kg 13.0kg 12.0kg 13.0kg

Asian Pear Conference Comice Rocha WBC

China Belgium Belgium Portugal Italy

40 12.0kg 6.0kg 44/52, 10x6 7/8.0kg

Pence Min 1025 600

1075

1575 1125 1800 1050

720 650 815

Pence Max 1200 700 1500 1200 1250 2950 1350 2000 1850 1300 1450 1950 1250 1000 1100 725 950 850

AU $ Min

AU $ Max

18.90 11.06 0 0 19.82 0 0 29.04 0 20.74 0 33.18 19.35

22.13 12.91 27.66 22.13 23.05 54.39 24.89 36.87 34.10 23.96 26.73 35.94 23.05

0 13.27 11.98 0 15.02

18.43 20.27 13.36 17.50 15.67

Information about APWN and Disclaimer This bulletin is prepared weekly to bring you up to date with the latest information about apples and pears with some reference to other commodities. Information is sourced from weekly and monthly publications and the electronic media and is used in the next issue of the bulletin after it is received. All sources are referenced. The Bulletin is compiled and edited by Apple & Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) from information researched by APAL staff and consultants, in particular Ross Wall. Every effort is taken to interpret and report accurately on information and events but no responsibility is taken for the source or accuracy of either the information or the interpretation placed upon it in this publication. Similarly the authors do not accept any responsibility for any action that may be taken by an individual following their interpretation of statements made in this report. Currency conversions are for guidance only and were obtained from the XE Currency Calculator which can be found at http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/. The editor is Richelle Zealley and her e-mail address is [email protected]

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