Apples are the principal fruit crop produced in Western Australia. Donnybrook, Manjimup and the hills area near Perth are the most important centres but other districts in the south-west still produce significant quantities. Exports of apples are significant, mainly to South-East Asian countries.
The four most common varieties of apples produced in Western Australia in 2003-04 were:
- Pink Lady (12,200 tonnes)
- Granny Smith (9,500 tonnes)
- Gala (5,100 tonnes)
- Sundowner (3,200 tonnes)
APPLES(a), Western Australia, years ended 30 June
|
| Production
'000 t | | Trees
'000 | | Yield
kg/tree |
|
1997(b) | 38.2 | | 620 | | 61.7 |
2001 | 45.1 | | 843 | | 53.5 |
2002 | 44.8 | | 898 | | 49.9 |
2003 | 38.9 | | 887 | | 43.8 |
2004 | 37.7 | | 976 | | 38.7 |
|
(a) For 2002 onwards, number of trees and yield is based on trees four years and over. For years prior to 2002, number of trees and yield is based on trees six years and over. However, the production figure used to calculate yield includes any contribution by all trees. In most cases this contribution is relatively insignificant, but in some instances it can distort yield figures.
(b) Year ended 31 March.
Sources: Agriculture, Australia (cat. no. 7113.0) and Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).
In 2003-04, 77% of all apples produced in Western Australia came from the South West Statistical Division (29,200 tonnes).
APPLES(a), 2003-04
|
Statistical Division | Production
'000 t | | Trees
'000 | | Yield
kg/tree |
|
Perth | 8.4 | | 195.0 | | 43.1 |
South West | 29.2 | | 772.2 | | 37.9 |
Lower Great Southern | 0.1 | | 8.4 | | 12.0 |
Upper Great Southern | - | | 0.1 | | 9.9 |
Midlands | - | | - | | 42.3 |
South Eastern | - | | - | | 40.0 |
Central | - | | - | | - |
Pilbara | - | | - | | - |
Kimberley | - | | - | | - |
| | | | | |
Western Australia | 37.7 | | 975.8 | | 38.7 |
|
(a) Number of trees and yield is based on trees four years and over. However, the production figure used to calculate yield includes any contribution by all trees. In most cases this contribution is relatively insignificant, but in some instances it can distort yield figures.
Source: Unpublished ABS data available on request, 2004 Apples and Pears Collection.