Introduction
Apples are a unique fruit. They enjoy an enviable reputation as one of the most popular fruits worldwide and are produced in almost every country that has a cool temperate climate. Together with oranges and bananas they dominate all markets by being available year-round. Crisp, crunchy fresh apples appeal to young and old alike, and they have the added advantage of being easily processed into juice, pulped for baby food, or canned or frozen for apple pies and bakery products.
Overview of the industry
World production
Global apple production is dominated by China, which produces five times more than the US, its closest producing competitor. France, Turkey and Italy follow, in that order, and are the major European producers; these are followed closely by other European and South American countries. World apple production has been expanding considerably in the last 10 years, particularly in China, where production has grown from 4.5 million tonnes in 1990 to 22 million tonnes in 1999.
In comparison, Australian production is less than 1% of total world production, but is one of the six southern hemisphere producers that have found counter-seasonal supply to be an advantage in marketing fresh apples to northern hemisphere consumers. Chile, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and New Zealand all produce significantly larger volumes and have more aggressive export marketing strategies compared with those in Australia.
However, each country is facing similar problems of oversupply due to:
- expansion of plantings during the last 10 years;
- declining per capita consumption;
- meeting consumer requirements for new flavour and taste sensations—it takes time to breed and market new varieties.
Australia
The Australian apple industry has a farmgate value of $266 million. In 2000, the total production of apples was 319 000 tonnes produced from 9.6 million trees on 25 000 hectares. There are approximately 1600 growers, and Victoria and NSW produce approximately 50% of the total production.
The major apple-growing regions in Australia are:
- NSW—the Orange, Batlow, Forbes and Bilpin–Camden regions;
- Victoria—the Harcourt, Bacchus Marsh, Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula and Goulburn Valley regions, and the eastern metropolitan area of Melbourne;
- Western Australia—the Donnybrook and Manjimup regions;
- Tasmania—the Huon Valley;
- South Australia—the Adelaide Hills;
- Queensland—the Stanthorpe region.
These regions tend to have mild summer temperatures, a cool autumn, and a cool to cold winter. Although there is reasonable rainfall, most require supplementary irrigation. While the areas produce high-quality apples, there are crop loss risks from severe hailstorms. Netting has been erected in some regions to minimise losses.
Fruit production and quality can vary between seasons and this is influenced by flood, drought, excessive heat, wind damage, frost, and the damage caused by insects and diseases. Apples have a tendency to biennial bearing, which means they tend to crop heavily one year and have a light crop the following year. Crop regulation such as thinning minimises these fluctuations.
New South Wales
The New South Wales apple industry has a gross value of $79.9 million. In 1997 the total production of apples was 83 200 tonnes produced from 2.1 million trees. The major apple-growing areas within the State are Batlow and Orange in the tablelands—these regions have 87% of the trees and 88% of the production in New South Wales. In 1997 the varieties Red Delicious and Granny Smith accounted for 49% and 21% respectively. Although these varieties still dominate, the number being planted is declining, while tree numbers and production of new apple varieties such as Fuji, Gala and Pink Lady™ are increasing.
Delicious Apples
"Granny Smith' Apples
"Granny Smith' Apples
Gala Apples
Industry organisations
The Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association (AAPGA) was formed in 1945 to promote the interests of apple and pear growers throughout Australia. The AAPGA works closely with Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) in the provision of marketing and promotion, and research and development. (HAL is the combination of the previously separate entities of the Australian Horticultural Corporation and the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation). In NSW, the representative organisation is NSW Apples and Pears, a subcommittee of the NSW Farmers’ Association.
Before you start
If you have never grown apples before, you will find this section useful. It is a brief checklist of the essential things you need to know before you start.
Climate
Apple trees need a winter cool enough to give them a ‘rest’ or dormant period. Some parts of the State meet the winter temperature requirements but have a summer that is too hot for consistent production of high-quality red-coloured dessert apples. Highland districts with mild summer temperatures, a cool autumn with dewy nights, a cool to cold winter and reasonable rainfall provide favourable climatic conditions for the production of high-quality, well-coloured apples. However, the warmer districts have potential for expansion into apple production with the release of new varieties such as Cripps Pink (Pink Lady™).
Apple trees need consistently available moisture during the growing season to promote regular and heavy production. This is particularly important in semi-intensive and intensive plantings.
Damage from hail can result in serious financial losses, especially when it falls in consecutive years. Long-term observations of the occurrence of hail suggest that no one district in NSW is more subject to hail than any other. The erection of a protective net fabric (shown at right) over high-production plantings is worth investigating.
Soil
Poor soils cannot produce heavy crops without expensive applications of nutrients. Fertile soils, then, produce well at lower cost. Deep, naturally well-drained soils allow for greater root penetration, giving trees more chance of withstanding dry periods. Such soils also ensure against root rots during excessively wet periods. Drainage can often be improved by installing tile or plastic drainage pipes before planting, but this is costly and the drains may not remain effective for the full life of the tree. The optimum pH range is 5.5–6.5.
Site
There are four important factors to take into account: frost, aspect, wind and slope.
1. Frost
Low air temperatures often occur in highland districts and can cause crop loss or damage from just before to just after the blossom period. This can be severe in poorly situated plantings. Valley floors, unless they have sufficient slope and are unobstructed by dense timber, are usually hazardous situations, as may be the lower parts of slopes unless there is enough downside for air drainage.
2. Aspect
Although successful plantings have been made on hillsides exposed to the south, avoid this aspect if possible. In the early spring, these sites often experience cold southerly airstreams which, though perhaps not damaging in themselves, frequently create conditions that are too cold for adequate movement of pollinating insects during the blossom period. Consequently production can be affected. Sometimes, however, sites facing south may be reasonably protected by features of the surrounding topography.Slopes facing north are usually warmer because they are under less influence from cool southerly winds and because more heat is absorbed from the sun. In such situations, tree growth often occurs earlier in the season and fruit matures ahead of other plantings.
3. Wind
Excessive wind makes tree training more difficult, hinders tree development and can be very damaging to crops. The site and general topography determine the need for windbreaks. If possible, establish trees before the orchard is planted and promote development by control of weeds and provision of irrigation. Alternatively, artificial windbreaks can be considered.
4. Slope
Changed cultural techniques now permit the use of slopes that once would have been regarded as too steep. In practice, the degree of slope that can be planted will be determined by the safe and efficient use of machinery and equipment.
Separated plantings
It is not always possible to maintain plantings as a single unit, and the orchard may consist of separated holdings. The factors already discussed will play a major role in determining the location of plantings.
There are disadvantages in locating new plantings some distance from the central unit, such as:
- loss of time in travelling;
- additional costs of transport;
- possibly more costly water reticulation;
- more difficult supervision;
- possible security problems.
- Service facilities
Growers in the bigger apple-growing districts can often buy orchard supplies at more competitive prices, use central packing-house facilities, hire cool-storage space, have access to specialised contract machinery and service personnel, and more easily arrange adequate labour for harvesting and pruning. The availability of these and other services can improve production efficiency.
Additional factors to consider include the existence of adequate educational, general business, medical, social and recreational facilities. Attracting casual labour for harvest operations also needs to be considered—even those growers who are located closer to large towns may find that they still need to provide on-site accommodation.
Transport
Although greater distances from market outlets will normally result in higher transport costs, this consideration is secondary to locating the orchard where productivity will be high. In recent years, improved handling and packaging, and fast transport, have enabled fruit to be delivered in good condition after being transported over long distances. In some instances more fruit bruising can occur over the short distance between the packing shed and the front gate than during the lengthy highway journey to market.
Apple varieties
For detailed information, see Agfact H4.1.12 Apple varieties.
Author:
Dr Jill Campbell, Former Senior Research Horticulturalist, Orange, NSW
