SUMMARY OF FINDINGS HORTICULTURE
FRUIT
Bananas
The bearing area of bananas decreased by 16% to 10 thousand hectares in 2007-08. Banana production also decreased, down by 3% to 207 thousand tonnes. An unseasonal coldsnap in some regions affected crop potential.
Oranges
The number of orange trees of bearing age in 2007-08 fell to 6.1 million, down 8%, whilst production fell by 13% to 409 thousand tonnes. The 17% increase in production in Victoria was more than offset by reduced production in South Australia and Western Australia.
Grapes
In 2007-08 the total area of grape vines remained steady at 173 thousand hectares. Bearing area rose to 166 thousand hectares, offset by the area not yet bearing falling to 6,500 hectares. Grape production increased by 28% to 2.0 million tonnes, with 1.8 million tonnes produced for wine making.
VEGETABLES
Potatoes
The total area planted to potatoes in 2007-08 rose by 12% to 38 thousand hectares. The largest increases were in the states of Victoria (up 32%) and South Australia (up 29%). Production of potatoes rose by 16% to 1.4 million tonnes, driven mainly by increases in production in South Australia and Victoria of 31% and 26% respectively.
Tomatoes
The area planted to tomatoes fell by 7% to 6,800 hectares. Decreases in Queensland and Western Australia were only marginally offset by increases in New South Wales and Victoria.
Despite a national decrease in area of tomatoes planted, tomato yields increased in all growing states. National production of tomatoes rose by 29% to 382 thousand tonnes in 2007-08 with large increases reported in Victoria (up 41% to 174 thousand tonnes) and New South Wales (up 30% to 47 thousand tonnes).
Carrots
The area planted to carrots in 2007-08 fell by 14% to just under 5 thousand hectares. Carrot production increased by 0.4% to 273 thousand tonnes. Large falls in New South Wales and South Australia were offset by increases in most other states.
Onions
The area planted to onions in 2007-08 decreased by 7% to 5 thousand hectares. Increased plantings in Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales were more than offset by decreased area in the major growing states of South Australia and Queensland. Production of onions rose by 3% to 254 thousand tonnes, driven largely by increased production in Tasmania (up 25%) and Western Australia (up 57%).
Mushrooms
The area planted to mushrooms in 2007-08 remained steady at 179 hectares. A decrease in the area planted in Queensland (down 32%) was offset by increases in New South Wales and South Australia. Production of mushrooms rose by 10% to 47 thousand tonnes, driven largely by increased production in South Australia and New South Wales.
Quality Declaration 
Print Page
Print All