• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS HORTICULTURE


FRUIT

Bananas

The bearing area of bananas increased by 4% to 11,700 hectares in 2006-07. Banana production also increased, up by 14% to 213,000 tonnes, but continued to be affected by the losses that resulted from Cyclone Larry in early 2006.


Oranges

The number of orange trees of bearing age in 2006-07 remained steady at 6.6 million. Production of oranges fell by 7% to 471,000 tonnes in 2006-07. A slight increase in production in South Australia was more than offset by reduced production in New South Wales and Victoria.


Grapes

In 2006-07 the total area of vines increased to 174,000 hectares. Bearing area rose to 164,000 hectares, while the area not yet bearing fell to 9,800 hectares. Grape production dropped by 23% to 1.5 million tonnes.


VEGETABLES

Potatoes

The total area planted to potatoes in 2006-07 fell by 3% to 34,100 hectares, with all states reporting decreased area except for Tasmania. Production of potatoes fell by 3% to 1.2 million tonnes, driven mainly by an 11% drop in production in Victoria.


Tomatoes

The area planted to tomatoes fell by 6% to 7,300 hectares. Decreases in New South Wales and Victoria were largely offset by an increase in Queensland. Production of tomatoes fell by 34% to 296,000 tonnes in 2006-07 with large decreases reported in Victoria (down 50% or 122,000 tonnes) and New South Wales (down 53% or 39,900 tonnes).


Carrots

The area planted to carrots in 2006-07 fell by 10% to 5,700 hectares. Carrot production increased slightly to 271,000 tonnes, a large fall in Western Australia was offset by increases in all other states.


Onions

Area planted to onions in 2006-07 rose by 19% to 5,400 hectares, with increases reported in all states. Production of onions rose by 11% to 246,000 tonnes, driven largely by increased production in Queensland and South Australia.


Lettuces

The area planted to lettuces in 2006-07 rose by 24% to 10,000 hectares, with all the main growing states reporting increased area. Production of lettuces also rose, up by 67% to 271,000 tonnes, driven mainly by large increases in production in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.