7121.0.55.002 - Agricultural Survey, Apples and Pears, Australia, 2006-07  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/12/2007   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


APPLES

Final estimates for 2006-07 show the number of apple trees decreased by 2% from the previous year to 9.9 million. The total number of trees reported in New South Wales decreased by 7% to 1.8 million while in Victoria, the main growing state, they rose by 6% to 3.7 million.


The production of apples in 2006-07 decreased by 2% from the previous year to 270,000 tonnes. Victoria, the main producing state, reported an increase in apple production of 11% to 116,000 tonnes, New South Wales reported a decrease of 28% to 37,400 tonnes and Tasmania reported a decrease of 13% to 28,500 tonnes.


The four most common varieties of apples produced in Australia in 2006-07 were:


Granny Smith (65,100 tonnes)
Cripps Pink (Pink Lady) (55,900 tonnes)
Gala (37,000 tonnes)
Fuji (21,600 tonnes)



PEARS

Final estimates for 2006-07 show the number of pear trees decreased slightly from the previous year to 2.0 million. In Victoria, which was by far the largest pear grower, tree numbers remained steady at 1.7 million.


The production of pears decreased by 5% from the previous year to 135,000 tonnes in 2006-07. Decreases in production were reported in all states except South Australia and Tasmania.


The four most common varieties of pears produced in Australia in 2006-07 were:


WBC (including Williams/Duchess/Bartlett) (63,000 tonnes)
Packham (52,200 tonnes)
Beurre Bosc (9,700 tonnes)
Nashi (2,900 tonnes)



APPLES AND PEARS SENT FOR PROCESSING

The quantity of apples sent for processing in 2006-07 decreased by 6% to 42,500 tonnes. Victoria and Tasmania recorded the largest quantity of apples sent for processing, with 19,900 tonnes and 7,400 tonnes respectively.


The quantity of pears sent for processing in 2006-07 decreased by 4% to 48,200 tonnes. Victoria recorded the largest quantity of pears sent for processing with 46,600 tonnes.



COOL STORAGE CAPACITY

The cool storage capacity of apple and pear growers in 2006-07 increased by 9% from the previous year to 317,000 tonnes. Victoria recorded the largest capacity with 149,000 tonnes followed by New South Wales with 58,500 tonnes and Tasmania with 42,600 tonnes.