Grape Industry Analysis for Investment and Redevelopment

Grape Industry 

Analysis 

for Investment 

and 

Redevelopment 

FINAL REPORT 

15 September 2014

Project lead 

Mildura Development Corporation 

Project contributors 

Regional Development Victoria, Mildura Development Corporation, Dried Fruits Australia , 

Australian Table Grape Association and Murray Valley Winegrowers’ 

Authors 

Sue Argus and Alison MacGregor, SunRISE Mapping and Research 

a division of Mallee Family Care Inc. 

Postal Address: PO Box 1870, Mildura VIC 3502 

Telephone: (03) 5021 7492 international + 61 3 5021 7492 

Facsimile: (03) 5021 4455 international + 61 3 5021 4455 

Email: mapping@sunrisemapping.org.au 

Internet: http://www.sunrisemapping.org.au 

Acknowledgments 

SunRISE 

mapping & research 

The following are acknowledged for their contribution to the study: 

Sunbeam Foods 

Australian Premium Dried Fruits 

Andrew Nemtsas, Murray River Organics 

Australian Vintage 

Sunworld for information on proprietary varieties 

Sheehan Genetics for information on proprietary varieties 

Murray Valley irrigators for their participation in the SunRISE mapping program 

Disclaimer 

Information in this report is derived from analysis of data from a range of sources. The report 

may be of assistance to you but SunRISE Mapping and Research and its employees do not 

guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your 

particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any errors, loss or other consequence 

which may arise from you relying on any information in this report.

Contents 

1. Summary 6 

2. Introduction 9 

2.1 Study area 10 

2.2 Project background and consultant’s brief 11 

3. Data sources and method 12 

3.1 SunRISE crop data acquisition and accuracy 12 

3.2 Source of crop production and crop prices data 13 

3.3 Limitations 14 

4. Murray Valley grape plantings 1997 to 2014 15 

4.1 Change in wine, table & dried plantings 1997 to 2014 15 

4.2 Summary of grape varieties 1997 to 2014 16 

4.3 Value of grape production in the Murray Valley 17 

4.4 Farm gate value of wine, table and dried grapes 18 

4.5 Change in irrigation methods 1997 to 2014 19 

4.6 Change in rootstocks 1997 to 2014 20 

4.7 Change in property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 21 

5. Wine grape industry analysis 23 

5.1 Change in wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 23 

5.2 Wine grape production 1997 to 2014 28 

5.3 Wine grape plantings yet to come into production 29 

5.4 Wine grape prices 1997 to 2014 30 

5.5 Crop value of wine grapes 1997 to 2014 34 

5.6 Irrigation methods for wine grape plantings 36 

5.7 Rootstocks of wine grape plantings 1997 to 2014 37 

5.8 Wine grape property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 38 

6. Dried grape industry analysis 39 

6.1 Change in dried grape varieties 1997 to 2014 39 

6.2 Dried grape production 1997 to 2014 42 

6.3 Dried grape plantings yet to come into production 43 

6.4 Dried grape prices 1997 to 2014 44 

6.5 Crop value of dried grapes 1997 to 2014 46 

6.6 Irrigation methods for dried grape plantings 48 

6.7 Rootstocks of dried grape plantings 1997 to 2014 49 

6.8 Dried grape property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 50 

7. Table grape industry analysis 51 

7.1 Change in table grape plantings 1997 to 2014 51 

7.2 Table grape production from 1997 to 2014 54 

7.3 Table grape plantings yet to come into production 55 

7.4 Table grape prices 1997 to 2014 57 

7.5 Crop value of table grapes 1997 to 2014 60 

7.6 Irrigation methods for table grape plantings 62 

7.7 Rootstocks of table grape plantings 1997 to 2014 63 

7.8 Table grape property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 64 

8. Bibliography 65 

SunRISE Mapping & Research Grape Industry Analysis Page 3 of 65

List of figures 

Figure 1: Map of the study area 10 

Figure 2: Hectares of wine, table and dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 15 

Figure 3: Summary of changes in grape varieties and areas (hectares) from 1997 to 2014 16 

Figure 4: Crop value ($ million) of Murray Valley wine, table and dried grapes 1997 to 2014 17 

Figure 5: Farm gate value (weighted average $/hectare) of wine, dried and table grapes 18 

Figure 6: Change in irrigation methods for Murray Valley grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 19 

Figure 7: Change in rootstocks of grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 20 

Figure 8: Change in property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 21 

Figure 9: Grape growing properties in 2014 22 

Figure 10: Summary of wine, table and dried grape property numbers and average property size 22 

Figure 11: Change in wine grape plantings (hectares) from 1997 to 2014 23 

Figure 12: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing white wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 24 

Figure 13: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing red wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 25 

Figure 14: Area (hectares) planted to white wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 26 

Figure 15: Area (hectares) planted to red wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 27 

Figure 16: Average yield (tonnes/hectare) from bearing wine grape plantings 1997 to 2014 28 

Figure 17: Projected tonnage from wine grape plantings that were non-bearing in 2014 29 

Figure 18: Weighted average price ($/tonne) for wine grapes from the Murray Valley 30 

Figure 19: Average prices ($/tonne) for white wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 31 

Figure 20: Average prices paid for red wine grape varieties ($/tonne) 1997 to 2014 32 

Figure 21: Trends in the planted hectares of Murray Valley wine grapes as prices fluctuate 33 

Figure 22: Crop value ($ million) from Murray Valley wine grape crush surveys 1997 to 2014 34 

Figure 23: Change in farm gate value ($/hectare) of wine grapes from 1997 to 2014 35 

Figure 24: Change in irrigation methods for wine grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 36 

Figure 25: Change in rootstocks of wine grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 37 

Figure 26: Change in property numbers and size of wine grape properties from 1997 to 2014 38 

Figure 27: Wine grape properties in 2014 38 

Figure 28: Summary of bearing and non-bearing dried grape plantings 39 

Figure 29: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing dried grape varieties 1997 to 2014 40 

Figure 30: Change in hectares of dried grape varieties from 1997 to 2014 41 

Figure 31: Dried grapes from the Murray Valley (tonnes) delivered to packers 1997 to 2013 42 

Figure 32: Average yields (dried tonnes/ha) for dried grape fruit 1997 to 2013 42 

Figure 33: Projected tonnage from dried grape varieties that were non-bearing in 2014 43 

Figure 34: Weighted average price ($/dried tonne) for dried grape fruit from 1997 to 2013, and 

estimated prices for 2014 44 

Figure 35: Trends in planted hectares of dried grapes as prices fluctuate 45 

Figure 36: Regional income ($ million) from dried grape fruit based on intake data and 2014 

estimates 46 

Figure 37: Farm gate value or gross income ($/hectare) for dried grape fruit 1997 to 2014 47 

Figure 38: Change in irrigation methods for dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 48 

Figure 39: Change in rootstocks of dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 49 

Figure 40: Property numbers and average size of dried grape properties 1997 to 2014 50 

Figure 41: Dried grape properties in 2014 50 

Figure 42: Summary of bearing and non-bearing table grape plantings (hectares) 1997 to 2014 51 

Figure 43: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing table grape varieties 1997 to 2014 52 

Figure 44: Change in table grape varieties (hectares) 1997 to 2014 53 


Figure 45: Annual production estimate (tonnes) of table grapes 1997 to 2014 54 

Figure 46: Seasonality of bearing and non-bearing table grape varieties in 2014 55 

Figure 47: Projected tonnage from table grape varieties that were non-bearing in 2014 56 

Figure 48: Average wholesale price ($ per kilogram) for table grapes delivered into Melbourne and 

Sydney markets 1997 to 2014 57 

Figure 49: Monthly average wholesale prices ($ per kilogram) for table grapes at Melbourne and 

Sydney markets between January and April, 1997 to 2014 58 

Figure 50: Trends in planted hectares of table grapes as prices fluctuate 59 

Figure 51: Regional income ($ million) from table grapes 1997 to 2014 60 

Figure 52: Changes in farm gate value (weighted average $/ha) of table grapes 1997 to 2014 61 

Figure 53: Change in irrigation methods for table grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 62 

Figure 54: Change in rootstocks of table grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 63 

Figure 55: Change in property numbers and size for table grape growers from 1997 to 2014 64 

Figure 56: Table grape properties in 2014 64 


1. Summary 

The study area, referred to as the ‘Murray Valley’ in this report, encompasses the Lower Murray 

Darling region of Victoria and New South Wales (Figure 1). 

The region has over 1,200 growers producing wine, table and dried grapes from 31,085 hectares 

of grapevines. This report tracks the three industries over the past seventeen years with respect 

to grape varieties, hectares (bearing and non-bearing), production (tonnes), yields (tonnes/ha), 

prices, crop value ($ million), farm gate value ($/ha), irrigation methods, rootstocks, grower 

numbers and property sizes. 

With over-supply of wine grapes still an issue, the table grape industry on the rise and the dried 

grape industry looking to increase its production base, an understanding of development and 

investment over the past seventeen years will better inform future investment and adjustment in 

response to changing markets and growing conditions. 

Non-bearing (new and redeveloped) plantings 

In 1997, 22% (5,980 ha) of grapevine plantings were non-bearing (less than three years old). This 

high proportion of new (including redeveloped) plantings was fuelled by the wine grape boom, 

with 4,640 ha of the non-bearing plantings being wine grape varieties (Figure 2). 

Possibly high wine grape prices in the late 1990’s also assisted investment in dried and table 

grapes as there were 1,845 ha of non-bearing table grape plantings in 2003 and 1,135 ha of dried 

grape plantings; the largest areas of new table and dried grape plantings compared with the 

1997, 2006, 2009 and 2014 seasons. New dried grape plantings in the early 2000’s would also 

coincide with conversion to trellis drying. 

By 2014, only 8% (2,420 ha) of all plantings were non-bearing. 69% of the non-bearing plantings 

were table grape varieties (1,670 ha); predominantly Crimson Seedless (Figure 43). Production 

from the 2014 non-bearing table grape plantings represents a 24% (40,080 tonnes) increase on 

2014 production from bearing plantings (170,040 tonnes) (Figure 47). 

Grape varieties 

Diversification to new grape varieties is evident in the study region. New dried grape varieties 

include Sunmuscat, Sunglo, Diamond Muscat, Black Gem, Selma Pete and Summer Muscat. Wine 

grape varieties new to the region include Pinot Gris, Fiano, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola and 

other Muscat and Italian varieties. New table grape varieties include Autumn Royal, Ralli 

Seedless, Crimson Seedless and a range of proprietary varieties. 

The dominant grape varieties (52% of plantings) are Chardonnay (5,145 ha), Sultana/Thompson 

Seedless (4,159 ha), Shiraz (3,576 ha) and Crimson Seedless (3,377 ha) (Figure 3). 

Sultana (including Thompson Seedless) plantings decreased by 10,289 ha between 1997 and 

2014. As there were around 2,000 ha of new Sultana plantings in this period, 12,289 ha of old 

Sultana plantings were removed. 

Crimson Seedless plantings increased by 3,329 ha between 1997 and 2014. This was the most 

popular variety followed by Shiraz (an increase of 2,290 ha) and Chardonnay (2,114 ha). 


Yields 

The average yield in 2014 across all wine grapes was 23 tonnes/ha, based on the 2014 Wine 

Grape Crush Report (tonnes) and SunRISE crop mapping (hectares). Average wine grape yields 

ranged from 18 to 23 tonnes/ha in the seasons 1997, 2003, 2006 and 2009 (Figure 16). 

Average dried grape yields across the region ranged from 3.6 to 6.0 dried tonnes per ha, based on 

intake tonnages and SunRISE crop mapping (Figure 32). 

Table grape production was estimated based on average yields of 20 kg/vine from 1,200 vines/ha. 

The greatest increase in production between 1997 and 2014 was in mid- to late-season red grape 

varieties; an estimated increase of 59,534 tonnes (Figure 45). There was a significant decrease in 

mid-season white table grape production estimated at 22,817 tonnes between 1997 and 2014. 

Prices 

Prices for wine grapes purchased from the Murray Valley decreased by 59% for red grape 

varieties and by 33% for white grape varieties between 1997 and 2014 (Figure 18). 

The weighted average price for dried grapes increased from $1,431 per dried tonne in 1997 to an 

estimated $1,700 per dried tonne in 2014 (Figure 34). 

Average prices returned to table grape growers from the wholesale markets increased overall by 

$0.20 between 1997 and 2014 (Figure 48). The greatest price increase ($0.79) was for black 

grapes. The price of white grapes between 1997 and 2014 fell by $0.18. 

Crop value ($ million) 

The estimated crop value of Murray Valley wine, table and dried grapes totalled $36 2 million in 

2014 (Figure 4). Crop value has increased by $101 million (39%) since 1997. 

Wine grapes accounted for 35% of the crop value of Murray Valley grapes in 2014, dried grapes 

9% and table grapes 56%. 

Farm gate value ($/ha) 

Farm gate value of wine grapes declined by 37%; from $11,300/ha in 1997 to $7,100/ha in 2014. 

For dried and table grapes it increased in the same period by 66% and 19% respectively (Figure 5) 

Irrigation methods 

Murray Valley grapevines are predominantly (89%) irrigated with drippers or low level sprinklers 

(Figure 6). 

The dominant irrigation method was furrow in 1997; however this changed to drippers by 2003. 

In 2014 wine and dried grape plantings were predominantly drip irrigated, and tabl e grape 

plantings predominantly irrigated with low level sprinklers (Figure 24, Figure 38 and Figure 53). 


Rootstocks 

The proportion of Murray Valley grape plantings on a rootstock increased from 30% in 1997 to 

71% in 2014 (page 20). 

The dominant rootstocks are Ramsey (33% of grape plantings), Schwarzmann (13%) and Paulsen 

1103 (10%) (Figure 7). 

67% of wine grape plantings are on a rootstock (Figure 25), 69% of dried grape plantings are on a 

rootstock (Figure 39) and 81% of table grape plantings are on a rootstock (Figure 54). 

Grower numbers and property size 

From 1997 to 2014 grower numbers declined from an estimated 2,445 to 1,277 properties, while 

average property size (grapevine area) increased by 119%, from 11.1 ha to 24.3 ha per property 

(Figure 8). 

In 2014, 24% of grape properties were over 20 ha, growing 75% of grape plantings ( Figure 9). 

31% of properties growing wine grapes also produce table and/or dried grapes (page 38). 

43% of properties growing dried grapes also produce wine and/or table grapes (page 50). 

25% of properties growing table grapes also produce wine and/or dried grapes (page 64). 


2. Introduction 

Mildura Development Corporation has a vision of “Our Region. Our Prosperity.” To achieve this, 

it is important that we maintain a detailed understanding of the horticultural commodities that 

provide a significant contribution to the prosperity of the region. To that end, Mildura 

Development Corporation’s 2013-16 Strategic Plan includes a goal to facilitate regional 

innovation and business development, which we do by working with industry and business to 

facilitate growth in our region, making economic and statistical research on the region available, 

identifying investment opportunities through proactive research, assisting in building vibrant and 

sustainable communities by making such research accessible, and supporting innovative alliances 

to encourage business development. 

Grape industries in the Lower Murray Darling have experienced fluctuating conditions in the 

recent decade (wine glut, drought, abnormal climatic events, low water allocations, rocketing of 

temporary water prices, flooding, water buyback and exit grants, a high Australian dollar, and 

opening of markets in China). Significant changes in planting areas, varieties, water use, 

rootstocks, property numbers and size, and irrigation methods are evident across the region’s 

horticulture (Mallee CMA 2012 Crop Report and 2012 Irrigated Horticulture of the Lower Murray- 

Darling (SunRISE 21, 2012)). 

With 31,085 hectares of grapevines planted in the region and a further 10,000 hectares of vacant, 

irrigable land that has the potential to be brought back into production, it is critical to collate 

accurate and comparative information for sound investment and planning decisions, to assist new 

investors coming into the region and existing growers transitioning between wine, table and dried 

viticulture, or diversifying to other crop types. In particular, a focus on varietal mix and tonnage 

projections, based on current and potential plantings, was required to inform industries’ planning 

and marketing strategies. 

In 2014 the Mildura Development Corporation in collaboration with Regional Development 

Victoria and the three grape industry bodies, contracted SunRISE Mapping and Research to 

conduct an industry position analysis of grape crops across the three industry sectors in the 

Lower Murray Darling region of Victoria and New South Wales. 

The analysis is based on SunRISE crop databases (1997 to 2014) obtained from mapping of 

irrigated crops utilising orthophoto imagery (scale accurate, digital, aerial photography) , grower 

input and industry collaboration. 


2.1 Study area 

This report covers grapevine plantings in the Lower Murray Darling region of Victoria and New South 

Wales (Figure 1). The study area is referred to as the ‘Murray Valley’ in this report. It encompasses the 

Murray Darling and Swan Hill wine regions as well as plantings along the Darling River upstream to 

Menindee. 

Figure 1: 

Map of the study area 


2.2 Project background and consultant’s brief 

Irrigated horticulture in the Lower Murray Darling is recovering from a decade of extreme 

conditions. New export market opportunities are fuelling confidence in the industry, with 

redevelopment and new investment occurring across different irrigated commodities, and rapid 

expansion particularly in table grape varieties. Accurate and detailed industry data is required to 

inform investment and redevelopment. With the promise of modernised irrigation delivery in the 

Older Irrigated Areas of Merbein, Mildura and Red Cliffs, this information will be critical to 

redevelopment and new investment in viticulture. The launch of the National Food Plan a nd its 

focus on Asia, will also deliver new investment into horticultural production as markets grow into 

the next decade. 

Changes to plantings in each industry (investments, redevelopment) will underlie the economic 

success of each industry. Clarity on plantings is required to inform decision making, paramount to 

a sustainable recovery, avoidance of another ‘boom and bust’ scenario, and sustainable growth 

within each industry. 

Significant changes in planting areas, varieties, water use, rootstocks, property numbers and size, 

and irrigation methods are already evident across the region’s horticulture (Mallee CMA 2012 

Crop Report and 2012 Irrigated Horticulture of the Lower Murray-Darling (SunRISE 21, 2012)) 

although those Crop Reports did not provide analysis to the grape variety level. Similarly, data on 

grape plantings from the state government, industry bodies and ABS census data are not available 

to the variety level. 

Each of the Murray Darling grape industry sectors has conducted their own analyses, but not 

using consistent types or sources of information. 

This report represents the first coordinated analysis of data to the grape variety level, including 

irrigation and cultural management details. 

The SunRISE crop database includes planting details from 1997 to 2014. The crop mapping 

provides accurate areas as it is based on a time series of high resolution orthophoto imagery 

(scale accurate, digital, aerial photography). Crop details, such as crop type, area and irrigation 

method, are derived from input from irrigators, field surveys and visual interpretation of the 

imagery. 

The analysis encompasses grape plantings in the lower Murray-Darling region of Victoria and New 

South Wales (Figure 1). The region is referred to as the ‘Murray Valley’ in this report. 

2014 planting data is compared in this report with data from 1997, 2003, 2006 and 2009. 

The Brief 

SunRISE Mapping and Research was contracted to collect, collate and report on: 

1. grape variety data in collaboration with dried, wine and table grape growers and industry 

groups, with at least 80% of each industry surveyed to the variety level 

2. changes in plantings between 1997 and 2014, by variety, property numbers & size, vine 

ages, irrigation methods, rootstocks and new plantings for each of the three industries 

(wine, table & dried) 

3. average production and crop (farm gate) values 

4. production projections for dominant varieties, and by seasonality for table grapes 


3. Data sources and method 

3.1 SunRISE crop data acquisition and accuracy 

SunRISE crop mapping 

SunRISE crop mapping is based on high resolution orthophoto imagery (i.e. scale accurate digital 

imagery processed from aerial photography) which has been updated every three years since 

1997. 

The scale accurate imagery provides accurate areas. Crop database details such as ownership, 

crop type, variety, rootstock, irrigation method and year planted are acquired by a combination 

of: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpretation of orthophoto imagery and field surveys 

Preparation of property crop maps for Sunbeam Foods contracted growers 

Preparation of property crop maps for Australia Premium Dried Fruits contracted growers 

Preparation of property crop maps for table grape export registration 

Public domain real estate sales information 

Preparation of property maps for growers for property planning and management; 

irrigation design, soil surveys, quality assurance, redevelopment. 

65% of the Murray Valley’s 1,277 grape growers have had input to the databases within the last 

three years. 90% of growers have been surveyed since inception of the mapping system in 1997. 

The imagery is used to identify changes to crops. When a change in planting is identified from 

the imagery the crop variety is recorded as ‘not surveyed’ and the approximate year of change 

recorded. Hence, crop details for growers who have not been surveyed recently will have crop 

variety details recorded for plantings that don’t appear to have changed since the surve y and ‘not 

surveyed’ recorded for plantings that appear to have changed since the survey. 

When details are received for crops previously ‘not surveyed’ the earlier databases are back filled 

where relevant. 

Orthophoto imagery 

Information presented in this report is for the years 1997, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2014. The 

orthophoto imagery used as a map base for each of these years was captured at the start of the 

year. Hence the information represents the 1996-97, 2002-03, 2005-06, 2008-09 and 2013-14 

irrigation seasons respectively. The imagery is high resolution, generally 35cm or 30cm pixels. 

Every crop patch is checked against the imagery time series to ensure changes are correctly 

recorded. 

The imagery from 1997 to 2009 is the property of SunRISE Mapping and was acquired in 

collaboration with regional agencies. 2013 and 2014 imagery was sourced from Google Earth and 

from NearMap via a web portal. 


3.2 Source of crop production and crop prices data 

Wine grapes 

Wine grape production and price data was sourced from public domain data: 

Murray Valley Winegrape Utilisation Survey 1997 (Agriculture Victoria, 1997) 

 

Murray Valley Winegrape Utilisation Survey 2003 (Department of Primary Industries, 

2003), 

Australian Regional Wine Grape Crush Survey Murray Darling, Swan Hill 2006 

(Department of Primary Industries, 2006), 

 

Wine Grape Crush Survey Murray Darling / Swan Hill 2009 (Department of Primary 

Industries, 2009) 

Wine Grape Crush Report Murray Darling Swan Hill 2014 (Hickey & Hengsen, 2014) 

Dried grapes 

Dried grape production and price data was sourced from Sunbeam Foods, and from Horticulture 

Australia via Dried Fruits Australia. 

Table grapes 

Table grape production was estimated based on an assumption of 1,200 vines per hectare 

yielding an average of 2 boxes per vine in full production (i.e. 2,400 boxes per hectare or 970 

boxes per acre). 

Table grape prices were sourced from Ausmarket Consultants (2014) based on average prices 

($/box): 

 

 

 

for each grape variety 

for grapes sourced from the Murray Valley (Victoria and NSW) 

for grapes sent to Sydney and Melbourne markets in the months January to April 

inclusive, for the years 1997, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2014 


3.3 Limitations 

Extrapolation of SunRISE crop data 

Information on grape varieties, irrigation methods, rootstocks and property ownership are 

derived from analyses of the SunRISE crop databases and extrapolation for unknown (‘not 

surveyed’) records. 

At least 80% of crop varieties are recorded for each year (1997, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2014) with 

the exception of: 

 

 

2014 non-bearing wine grape varieties where only 25% of non-bearing varieties are 

recorded. The 2014 non-bearing wine grape varieties have not been extrapolated (Figure 

12, Figure 14, Figure 13 and Figure 15). 

2014 non-bearing table grape varieties where only 62% of non-bearing varieties are 

recorded. The 2014 non-bearing table grape varieties were still extrapolated (Figure 43). 

At least 70% of crop rootstocks are recorded for each year (1997, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2014) 

with the exception of: 

 

2009 and 2014 table grape plantings where only 63% and 54% respectively of rootstocks 

are recorded. The 2009 and 2014 table grape rootstock data was still extrapolated 

(Figure 54). 

Areas and varieties of non-bearing plantings (less than three years old) are provided however the 

areas are likely to be under-stated as not all new and redeveloped plantings will have been 

recorded. SunRISE relies on visual identification of changes to plantings from the imagery and 

from information provided by growers. 

Multi use varieties 

Total areas (hectares) of grapevine plantings for each year in this report are accurate as they are 

mapped from scale accurate high resolution imagery. However, the area split for multi-use 

varieties, such as Gordo and Sultana, between the three markets (wine, table and dried) can be 

subject to error. 

Given that there are large areas of multi-use varieties their influence on total wine/dried/table 

areas can be significant. Without direct input from a grower on the market for their produce in a 

given season, SunRISE uses the history of the growers produce types, trellising details, crop prices 

etc. to assess the likely market that the fruit was consigned to. 

Also, the imagery provides visual clues as to produce type; such as white plastic covers over table 

grapes, smaller canopy on wine grape plantings and the patterning of canopy on a Shaw trellis for 

drying is often distinct. 

Area harvested versus area planted 

Areas (hectares) stated in this report are the areas planted, not the area harvested. 

No attempt has been made to determine the proportion of crop not harvested in each of the 

seasons presented. Production and crop value estimates are based on all bearing plantings 

having been harvested, whereas this is not necessarily the case. 

Property numbers 

Property numbers are estimates only. In the SunRISE crop databases a ‘property’ is a corporate 

entity or family business where the family business can encompass multiple farms and family 

members. However, ‘property’ names are entered into the crop database as specified by growers 

and they may represent individual family members rather than the family company. This would 

suggest that property numbers are over stated in the analysis. 


hectares 

4. Murray Valley grape plantings 1997 to 2014 

4.1 Change in wine, table & dried plantings 1997 to 2014 

Figure 2 summarises bearing and non-bearing hectares of wine, table and dried grape plantings 

across the Murray Valley from 1997 to 2014. 

New plantings and redevelopment in the vineyard has slowed considerably since 1997. While 22% 

of plantings were non-bearing in 1997, only 8% were non-bearing in 2014. 

 

 

 

The largest area of non-bearing plantings in 2014 was table grape plantings (1,670 hectares). 

There were 4,400 hectares of non-bearing wine grape plantings in 2006, despite falling grape 

prices; however the ensuing years of continued oversupply, low prices, drought and low water 

allocations saw non-bearing wine grape plantings decline to just 530 hectares by 2014. Nonbearing 

wine grape plantings in 2014 are predominantly on large corporate holdings. 

The large area (1,135 hectares) of non-bearing dried grape plantings in 2003 is mostly Sultana, 

Sunmuscat and Carina plantings coinciding with the removal of over 2,000 hectares of old Sultana 

plantings between 1997 and 2003. Possibly income generated from the wine grape boom assisted 

redevelopment of dried grape plantings along with conversion to trellis drying. 

Figure 2: Hectares of wine, table and dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

40,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

35,000 

30,000 

25,000 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

5,000 

Wine non-bearing 

Wine bearing 

Table non-bearing 

Table bearing 

Dried non-bearing 

Dried bearing 

0 

Grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change (ha) 

1997-2014 

Wine Bearing 9,090 17,260 19,400 19,805 18,220 59% +9,130 

Non-bearing 4,640 4,430 4,400 2,120 530 2% -4,110 

Table Bearing 4,630 5,840 6,465 6,225 7,085 23% +2,455 

Non-bearing 910 1,845 1,575 1,095 1,670 5% +760 

Dried Bearing 7,520 4,995 4,835 3,455 3,360 11% -4,160 

Non-bearing 430 1,135 400 185 220 1% -210 

Total hectares 27,220 35,505 37,075 32,885 31,085 100% +3,865 

% Bearing 78% 79% 83% 90% 92% 

% Non-bearing 22% 21% 17% 10% 8% 


4.2 Summary of grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Figure 3 lists the main grape varieties grown in the Murray Valley region and the change in 

hectares from 1997 to 2014. Significant changes in this period were: 

The area of Sultana/Thompson Seedless plantings decreased by 10,289 hectares. (Over 12,290 

hectares of Sultanas were removed as there was at least 2,000 hectares of new Sultana 

plantings between 1997 and 2014) 

 

 

The area of Crimson Seedless increased by 3,329 hectares 

52% of plantings in 2014 comprised four varieties; Chardonnay (5,145 ha), Sultana/Thompson 

Seedless (4,159 ha), Shiraz (3,576 ha) and Crimson Seedless (3,377 ha) 

Figure 3: Summary of changes in grape varieties and areas (hectares) from 1997 to 2014 

% of Change 

Variety 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

2014 1997-2014 

Dried Other dried 3 10 35 36 124 0% +121 

Multiuse 

Table 

black 

Table 

red 

Black Muscat 18 22 16 14 15 0% -4 

Carina 251 285 413 357 363 1% +112 

Flame Seedless 171 170 152 113 173 1% +3 

Gordo 1,551 1,262 1,291 1,306 1,004 3% -547 

Menindee Seedless 905 1,326 1,266 1,074 915 3% +10 

Merbein Seedless 49 36 33 24 15 0% -34 

Sultana/Thompson 14,448 10,179 7,499 4,660 4,159 13% -10,289 

Sunmuscat 17 364 442 480 606 2% +589 

Waltham 282 144 102 48 34 0% -249 

Zante 390 205 136 35 26 0% -364 

Autumn Royal 0 13 243 348 354 1% +354 

Other black 88 66 77 68 55 0% -33 

Crimson Seedless 48 808 1,259 1,889 3,377 11% +3,329 

Other red 309 231 297 68 30 0% -279 

Ralli Seedless 38 112 122 109 210 1% +171 

Red Globe 842 1,513 1,496 1,271 1,042 3% +200 

Table Other white 350 400 585 263 151 0% -198 

Table PBR varieties 1 4 15 52 142 597 2% +593 

Cab. Sauvignon 1,077 3,463 3,295 2,990 2,629 8% +1,553 

Wine 

red 

Wine 

white 

Merlot 379 1,900 2,104 1,907 1,664 5% +1,285 

Other red 172 565 564 595 560 2% +388 

Pinot Noir 12 136 209 284 292 1% +280 

Ruby Cabernet 255 571 444 326 225 1% -30 

Shiraz 1,287 3,749 4,280 4,089 3,576 12% +2,290 

Chardonnay 3,031 5,784 7,439 6,414 5,145 17% +2,114 

Colombard 446 1,050 1,046 1,017 660 2% +214 

Other white 352 454 559 704 566 2% +214 

Pinot Grigio/Gris 0 38 570 827 808 3% +808 

Sauvignon Blanc 99 155 513 892 836 3% +737 

Semillon 346 480 535 534 476 2% +129 

Wine Not surveyed - - - - 397 1% +397 


1 PBR (Plant Breeders’ Rights) in this table refers to proprietary varieties only recently, or still waiting to be, granted 

plant variety rights 


Value of grapes 

($ million dollars) 

4.3 Value of grape production in the Murray Valley 

Figure 4 summarises crop values for wine grapes (Figure 22), dried grapes (Figure 36) and table 

grapes (Figure 51) and provides an estimate of the total value of the grape industry in the Murray 

Valley region from 1997 to 2014. 

Crop value of Murray Valley grape production increased by 39% ($101 million); from $261 million 

in 1997 to $362 million in 2014. 

Wine grapes account for 35% of the 2014 Murray Valley grape crop value, dried grape fruit 9% 

and table grapes 56%. 

Figure 4: Crop value ($ million) of Murray Valley wine, table and dried grapes 1997 to 2014 

$400 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

$300 

$143 $183 

$180 $202 

Total table 

$200 

$100 

$117 

$41 

$103 

$25 

$184 

$36 

$30 $31 

$155 $139 $129 

Total dried 

Total wine 

$0 


% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

White wine $79.8 $101.6 $87.1 $72.3 $70.3 19% - $9.4 

Red wine $23.0 $82.4 $68.3 $66.3 $59.0 16% + $36.1 

Total wine value $102.7 $184.0 $155.3 $138.6 $129.4 + $26.6 

Sultanas $33.3 $18.2 $27.9 $21.9 $18.8 5% - $14.5 

Sunmuscat - $1.2 $2.3 $2.9 $5.5 2% + $4.3 

Raisins $3.4 $2.2 $2.1 $2.0 $1.9 1% - $1.5 

Currants $4.5 $3.8 $3.4 $3.5 $4.2 1% - $0.3 

Other - $0.1 $0.1 $0.0 $0.1 0% + 0.0 

Total dried value $41.2 $25.4 $35.9 $30.4 $30.6 - $10.6 

White table $90.6 $94.6 $98.8 $73.6 $58.6 16% - $32.0 

Red table $25.0 $46.8 $81.3 $94.3 $123.2 34% + $98.2 

Black table $1.7 $2.0 $2.4 $12.3 $20.3 6% + $18.6 

Total table value $117.3 $143.3 $182.5 $180.3 $202.1 + $84.8 

Murray Valley 

income ($ million) 

$261 $353 $374 $349 $362 100% + $101 


TABLE 

DRIED 

WINE 

4.4 Farm gate value of wine, table and dried grapes 

Figure 5 shows the change in farm gate value of wine, dried and table grapes from 1997 to 2014. 

(Values are summarised from Figure 23, Figure 37 and Figure 52 respectively.) 

Farm gate value ($/hectare) represents the gross return to growers before deducting costs of 

production. Costs of production are not considered in this analysis (and are not a part of the 

project brief), but they vary for wine, dried and table grape production and vary over time having 

a significant impact on net income. For instance, while farm gate value of table grapes is much 

higher than wine and dried grapes, table grapes have considerably higher production costs 

impacting on net income. Information on costs of production can be sourced from relevant 

industry groups. 

Farm gate value of wine grapes declined by 37%; from $11,300 per hectare in 1997 to $7,100 per 

hectare in 2014. 

Farm gate values of sultanas, sunmuscats, raisins and currants increased between 1997 and 2014, 

with a 66% increase overall for dried grapes. 

Farm gate value of white table grapes decreased in the same period by 17%, but red and black 

table grapes increased by 31% and 88% respectively. 

Figure 5: 

Farm gate value (weighted average $/hectare) of wine, dried and table grapes 


$/hectare wine 

grapes 

Change 1997-2014 

% $/ha 

White wine $10,127 $12,257 $9,058 $7,089 $7,528 -26% -$2,599 

Red wine $18,917 $9,180 $6,975 $6,901 $6,650 -65% -$12,267 

$11,300 $10,658 $8,007 $6,998 $7,100 -37% - 4,200 

Sultanas $5,031 $4,269 $7,150 $8,749 $8,300 +65% +$3,269 

Sunmuscat - $8,289 $6,469 $6,882 $10,313 +24% +$2,024 

$/hectare dried 

grapes 

$/hectare table 

grapes 

Raisins $8,048 $8,677 $11,172 $11,709 $10,877 +35% +$2,829 

Currants $9,867 $11,171 $9,301 $10,033 $11,326 +15% +$1,460 

Other dried - $7,046 $6,782 $14,676 $14,924 +112% +$7,878 

$5,479 $5,076 $7,422 $8,802 $9,104 +66% +$3,625 

White table $25,409 $27,318 $24,468 $20,145 $21,112 -17% -$4,246 

Red table $25,506 $26,304 $31,359 $36,533 $33,295 +31% +$8,224 

Black table $21,474 $26,659 $30,577 $33,624 $40,396 +88% +$18,180 

$24,657 $26,728 $28,859 $31,625 $29,425 +19% +$4,768 


Hectares 

4.5 Change in irrigation methods 1997 to 2014 

Figure 6 summarises irrigation methods for grapevines across the Murray Valley from 1997 to 

2014. 

The dominant irrigation method changed from furrow irrigation to drip irrigation between 1997 

and 2003. 

89% of grapevines are irrigated with drippers or low-level sprinklers. 

Figure 6: Change in irrigation methods for Murray Valley grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

40,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

30,000 

Irrigation 

method 

20,000 

10,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change (ha) 

1997-2014 

Drip 3,880 11,885 16,515 19,950 21,420 69% +17,540 

Low level 3,890 7,510 7,860 6,765 6,245 20% +2,355 

Overhead 8,450 9,715 8,495 4,625 2,600 8% -5,850 

Furrow 11,000 6,395 4,205 1,545 820 3% -10,180 

Total (ha) 27,220 35,505 37,075 32,885 31,085 100% +3,865 

Drip 

Low level 

Overhead 

Furrow 


hectares 

4.6 Change in rootstocks 1997 to 2014 

Figure 7 lists rootstocks of grapevine plantings in the Murray Valley study area and shows the 

proportion of plantings that are not on a rootstock (29% in 2014). Plantings not on a rootstock 

are either on their own roots or have been top-worked on to the roots of the previous variety. 

The proportion of plantings on a rootstock increased from 30% in 1997 to 71% in 2014. The 

dominant rootstocks are Ramsey (33%), Schwarzmann (13%) and Paulsen 1103 (10% of plantings). 

Figure 7: Change in rootstocks of grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

40,000 

Other rootstock 

Teleki 5A,5C 

35,000 

SO4 

30,000 

Schwarzmann 

Ruggeri 140 

25,000 

Richter 99,110 

Ramsey 

20,000 

Paulsen 1103 

101-14 

15,000 

K51-40 

10,000 

K51-32 

Kober 5BB 

5,000 

Harmony 

Dog Ridge 

0 

Not on rootstock 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 Change 

total 1997-2014 

Not on rootstock 19,188 17,428 14,667 10,784 8,983 29% -10,205 

Dog Ridge 176 433 547 596 689 2% +513 

Harmony 299 301 274 208 196 1% -104 

Kober 5BB 9 242 300 344 355 1% +346 

K51-32 51 119 121 98 87 0% +37 

K51-40 127 271 286 263 193 1% +66 

101-14 25 128 260 276 304 1% +279 

Paulsen 1103 40 1,083 2,362 2,678 3,228 10% +3,187 

Ramsey 4,943 9,368 11,070 10,620 10,139 33% +5,195 

Richter 99,110 14 59 59 90 98 0% +84 

Ruggeri 140 229 1,144 1,632 1,606 1,721 6% +1,493 

Schwarzmann 1,571 3,902 4,357 4,208 4,000 13% +2,429 

SO4 31 57 80 78 70 0% +39 

Teleki 5A,5C 486 918 1,004 979 976 3% +490 

Other rootstocks 2 32 50 57 56 46 0% +14 


% No rootstock 70% 49% 40% 33% 29% 

% on a rootstock 30% 51% 60% 67% 71% 

2 Other rootstocks: 34EMFoex, 3309 Couderc, Freedom, Riparia Gloire, Rupestris du Lot, Salt Creek 


Number of properties 

4.7 Change in property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 

Figure 8 provides estimates of property numbers and average property size (grapevine area) 

across the Murray Valley study area from 1997 to 2014. 

The study area has approximately 1,277 properties growing grapevines for wine, dried and/or table 

grape production. Average property size (grapevine area) is 24.3 hectares. 

The average property size (grapevine area) more than doubled; from 11.1 hectares in 1997 to 24.3 

hectares in 2014. 

 

 

There were 1,168 fewer grape growing properties in 2014 than in 1997; a 48% decline in property 

numbers. 

The number of properties below 20 hectares decreased by 1,245 properties, while the number of 

properties over 20 hectares increased by 77. 

Figure 8: Change in the number and size of grape growing properties 1997 to 2014 

2,500 

2,000 

1,500 

1,000 

500 

0 

Property size 

(grapevine area) 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

640 

629 

887 792 

688 667 626 498 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

1 to 5 ha 688 667 626 498 322 25% -366 

5 to 10 ha 887 792 705 510 366 29% -521 

10 to 20 ha 640 629 551 379 282 22% -358 

20 to 40 ha 182 229 214 186 188 15% +6 

40 to 100 ha 38 59 65 62 75 6% +37 

100 to 500 ha 10 39 42 42 38 3% +28 

> 500 ha 1 5 6 6 0% +6 

Total properties 2,445 2,416 2,208 1,683 1,277 100% -1,168 

Average size (ha) 11.1 14.7 16.8 19.5 24.3 

551 

705 

379 

510 

282 

366 

322 

> 500 ha 

100 to 500 ha 

50 to 100 ha 

20 to 50 ha 

10 to 20 ha 

5 to 10 ha 

1 to 5 ha 


4.7.1 Grape growing properties in 2014 

In 2014, 24% of grape properties were over 20 ha, growing 75% of grape plantings (Figure 9). 

Figure 9: Grape growing properties in 2014 

Property size 2014 % of total 2014 % of total 

(grape area) Properties properties Hectares hectares 

1 to 5 ha 322 25% 995 3% 

5 to 10 ha 366 29% 2,620 8% 

10 to 20 ha 282 22% 4,005 13% 

20 to 40 ha 188 15% 5,800 19% 

40 to 100 ha 75 6% 5,110 16% 

100 to 500 ha 38 3% 8,145 26% 

> 500 ha 6 0% 4,410 14% 

2014 total 1,277 100% 31,085 100% 

31% of properties growing wine grapes also produce table and/or dried grapes (page 38). 

43% of properties growing dried grapes also produce wine and/or table grapes (page 50). 

25% of properties growing table grapes also produce wine and/or dried grapes (page 64). 

4.7.2 Summary of wine, table & dried property numbers and size 

Figure 10: 

Summary of wine, table and dried grape property numbers and average property size 

Property numbers 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

Wine grapes 1,414 1,509 1,362 997 667 44% -747 

Table grapes 590 667 614 512 443 30% -147 

Dried grapes 1,270 928 767 497 397 26% -873 

Total properties* 2,445 2,416 2,208 1,683 1,277 100% -1,168 

Average property size 

(grape ha) 

Properties with wine 

grapes 

Properties with table 

grapes 

Properties with dried 

grapes 

Change 1997-2014 

% ha 

13.2 17.7 20.8 25.2 32.9 + 150% + 19.7 

13.6 17.1 18.3 19.5 23.2 + 71% + 9.6 

9.9 11.1 11.6 11.7 13.6 + 38% + 3.7 

Average size (grape ha) 11.1 14.7 16.8 19.5 24.3 

*Note: Total property numbers across the study area are less than the sum of property numbers for 

each of the wine, table and dried grape growers as many growers produce across two or more of the 

three markets. 


hectares 

5. Wine grape industry analysis 

5.1 Change in wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

5.1.1 Bearing and non-bearing plantings 

Wine grape plantings increased by 5,020 hectares between 1997 and 2014, largely due to the 

planting of red wine grape varieties between 1997 and 2003. 

The area of wine grape plantings peaked around 2006. 

In 1997, 34% of wine grape plantings were non-bearing (i.e. new plantings less than 3 years old) 

but by 2014, non-bearing plantings reduced to only 3%. 

Figure 11: Change in wine grape plantings (hectares) from 1997 to 2014 

25,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

5,000 

White non-bearing 

White bearing 

Red non-bearing 

Red bearing 

0 

Wine grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

White non-bearing 2,530 2,958 3,265 1,505 230 1% -2,300 

White bearing 7,877 8,287 9,612 10,204 9,342 50% +1,465 

Red non-bearing 2,110 1,472 1,135 615 300 2% -1,810 

Red bearing 1,213 8,973 9,788 9,601 8,878 47% +7,665 

Total wine grapes (ha) 13,730 21,690 23,800 21,925 18,750 100% +5,020 

% Bearing 66% 80% 82% 90% 97% 

% Non-bearing 34% 20% 18% 10% 3% 

% White grapes 76% 52% 54% 53% 51% 

% Red grapes 24% 48% 46% 47% 49% 


WHITE wine grapes 

5.1.2 Hectares of bearing and non-bearing white wine grapes 

Figure 12 shows the area (hectares) of bearing and non-bearing (less than three years old) white 

wine grape varieties from 1997 to 2014. 

Planting of white wine grape varieties has slowed considerably since 1997. Only 2% (230 ha) of 

white wine grape plantings were non-bearing in 2014, compared with 24% (2,530 ha) in 1997. 

Figure 12: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing white wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

1997 (ha) 2003 (ha) 2006 (ha) 2009 (ha) 2014 (ha) 

Variety 

Nonbearing 

bearing bearing Nonbearing 

Non- 

Non- 

Nonbearing 

bearing 

bearing 

bearing bearing 

Chardonnay 1,228 1,802 3,635 2,149 5,608 1,831 6,278 136 5,142 3 

Chenin Blanc 42 2 49 1 40 0 34 0 12 - 

Colombard 341 105 734 315 995 51 890 127 660 - 

Crouchen 24 0 37 6 42 5 41 5 45 - 

Doradillo 61 1 26 0 11 0 7 0 2 - 

Fiano 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 23 - 

Frontignac 11 0 1 0 2 9 9 0 14 - 

Gordo 1,166 114 869 216 875 229 805 340 832 18 

Muscat Canada 25 1 11 0 8 22 22 35 52 - 

Muscat other 26 4 46 2 48 0 44 93 126 6 

Other white 3 22 0 9 3 8 3 7 2 4 5 

Pinot Grigio/Gris 0 0 0 38 37 532 574 253 801 6 

Riesling 130 0 112 5 109 45 120 5 82 - 

Sauvignon Blanc 67 31 125 30 145 368 485 407 826 10 

Semillon 22 325 446 34 436 99 499 35 470 5 

Sultana 4,652 145 2,094 86 1,092 4 174 0 58 - 

Traminer 5 0 1 12 12 0 12 0 12 - 

Verdelho 1 0 63 4 67 0 67 16 60 4 

Vermentino 0 0 2 2 4 0 5 16 24 - 

Viognier 0 1 10 55 62 68 127 11 97 - 

Waltham 52 0 18 0 11 0 3 0 1 - 

Not surveyed* 172 

Total white hectares 7,877 2,530 8,287 2,958 9,612 3,265 10,204 1,505 9,342 230 

% bearing/non-bearing 76% 24% 74% 26% 75% 25% 87% 13% 98% 2% 

*Not surveyed: 75% (172 hectares) of non-bearing white wine grape varieties are unrecorded for 

2014; hence 2014 non-bearing areas have not been extrapolated. All other figures have been 

extrapolated with over 80% of varieties recorded. 

3 Other white wine varieties include: Arneis, Flora, Italia, other Italian varieties, Malvasia, Palomino, 

Prosecco, Savignin, Taminga, Tokay Friulilo and Verdejo. 


RED wine grapes 


5.1.3 Hectares of bearing and non-bearing red wine grapes 

Figure 13 shows the area (hectares) of bearing and non-bearing (less than three years old) red 

wine grape varieties from 1997 to 2014. 

Planting of red wine grape varieties has slowed considerably since 1997. Only 3% (300 ha) of red 

wine grape plantings were non-bearing in 2014, compared with 63% (2,110 ha) in 1997. 

Figure 13: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing red wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

1997 (ha) 2003 (ha) 2006 (ha) 2009 (ha) 2014 (ha) 

Variety 

Non- 

Non- 

Non- 

Non- 

Nonbearing 

bearing bearing bearing bearing 

bearing bearing bearing bearing bearing 

Black Muscat 10 0 7 6 8 0 5 0 6 - 

Cab. Sauvignon 349 727 3,203 260 3,255 40 2,868 122 2,594 35 

Carina, Zante 123 8 48 0 16 2 20 0 1 - 

Chambourcin 9 3 9 0 5 0 5 0 3 - 

Cienna 0 0 0 30 29 18 47 0 43 - 

Dolcetto 0 0 8 4 12 0 12 0 5 - 

Durif 0 0 2 12 15 9 24 0 19 - 

Graciano 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 - 

Grenache 81 5 52 18 53 8 46 0 36 - 

Malbec 2 0 11 0 11 5 12 0 17 12 

Mataro 19 2 21 36 49 2 40 0 31 - 

Merlot 80 299 1,658 242 1,833 271 1,896 11 1,657 7 

Montepulciano 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 15 - 

Nebbiolo 0 0 7 4 11 0 8 0 8 - 

Negro Amaro 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 - 

Nero d'Avola 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 12 4 

Other red 4 7 1 4 7 10 3 11 5 14 - 

Petit Verdot 0 0 63 110 159 0 139 45 162 - 

Pinot Noir 6 6 69 66 135 74 207 77 292 - 

Red Frontignac 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 - 

Rubired 21 0 17 0 0 0 0 8 7 12 

Ruby Cabernet 140 114 529 43 438 6 326 0 225 - 

Sagrantino 1 0 1 0 1 4 4 0 7 - 

Sangiovese 1 2 69 44 89 7 76 0 68 - 

Shiraz 345 942 3,179 569 3,630 651 3,817 272 3,570 6 

Tarrango 19 0 15 12 21 9 4 0 4 - 

Tempranillo 0 0 0 9 9 25 34 33 57 - 

Not surveyed* 225 

Total red (ha) 1,213 2,110 8,973 1,472 9,788 1,135 9,601 615 8,878 300 

% Bearing/non-bearing 37% 63% 86% 14% 90% 10% 94% 6% 97% 3% 

*Not surveyed: 75% (225 hectares) of non-bearing red wine grape varieties are unrecorded for 

2014; hence these figures have not been extrapolated. All other figures have been extrapolated 

with over 80% of varieties recorded. 

4 Other red varieties includes; Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Italian varieties, Lagrein, Lambrusco Maestri, 

Tannat, Touriga and Zinfandal 


WHITE wine grapes 

5.1.4 White wine grape varieties 

Figure 14 shows the total area (bearing plus non-bearing hectares (Figure 12)) of white wine 

grape varieties and change from 1997 to 2014. 

The dominant white wine varieties Chardonnay (54%), Gordo (9%), Sauvignon Blanc (9%), Pinot 

Grigio (8%), Colombard (7%) and Semillon (5%) make up 92% of the 2014 planted area of white 

wine grapes. 

White wine grape plantings decreased by 835 hectares between 1997 and 2014. 

Figure 14: Area (hectares) planted to white wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Variety 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 


total white 1997-2014 

Chardonnay 3,031 5,784 7,439 6,414 5,145 54% +2,114 

Chenin Blanc 44 50 40 34 12 0% -32 

Colombard 446 1,050 1,046 1,017 660 7% +214 

Crouchen 24 43 47 47 45 0% +21 

Doradillo 63 26 11 7 2 0% -61 

Fiano - - - 23 23 0% +23 

Frontignac 11 2 10 9 14 0% +3 

Gordo 1,280 1,084 1,104 1,145 850 9% -429 

Muscat Canada 25 11 30 58 52 1% +26 

Muscat other 30 48 48 137 132 1% +102 

Other white 5 23 12 11 9 9 0% -14 

Pinot Grigio / Gris - 38 570 827 808 8% +808 

Riesling 130 116 154 126 82 1% -49 

Sauvignon Blanc 99 155 513 892 836 9% +737 

Semillon 346 480 535 534 476 5% +129 

Sultana 4,797 2,180 1,096 174 58 1% -4,739 

Traminer 5 12 12 12 12 0% +7 

Verdelho 1 67 67 83 64 1% +62 

Vermentino - 4 5 21 24 0% +24 

Viognier 1 65 129 138 97 1% +97 

Waltham 52 18 11 3 1 0% -51 

Not surveyed - - - - 172 2% +172 

Total white (ha) 10,407 11,246 12,877 11,709 9,572 100% -835 

% Bearing 76% 74% 75% 87% 98% 

% Non-bearing 24% 26% 25% 13% 2% 


Prosecco, Savignin, Taminga, Tokay Friulilo and Verdejo. 




5.1.5 Red wine grape varieties 

Figure 15 shows the total area (bearing and non-bearing hectares (Figure 13)) of red wine grape 

varieties and change from 1997 to 2014. 

The dominant red wine varieties Shiraz (39%), Cabernet Sauvignon (29%) and Merlot (18%) make 

up 86% of the 2014 planted area of red wine grapes. 

Red wine grape plantings increased by 5,855 hectares between 1997 and 2014. 

Figure 15: Area (hectares) planted to red wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Variety 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 


total 1997-2014 

Black Muscat 10 13 8 5 6 0% -4 

Cabernet Sauvignon 1,077 3,463 3,295 2,990 2,629 29% +1,553 

Carina, Zante 132 48 18 20 1 0% -130 

Chambourcin 12 9 5 5 3 0% -9 

Cienna - 30 47 47 43 0% +43 

Dolcetto - 12 12 12 5 0% +5 

Durif - 15 24 24 19 0% +19 

Graciano - - - 8 8 0% +8 

Grenache 86 71 61 46 36 0% -51 

Malbec 2 11 15 12 29 0% +27 

Mataro 20 57 52 40 31 0% +10 

Merlot 379 1,900 2,104 1,907 1,664 18% +1,285 

Montepulciano - - - 7 15 0% +15 

Nebbiolo - 11 11 8 8 0% +8 

Negro Amaro - - - 9 9 0% +9 

Nero d'Avola - - - 10 16 0% +16 

Other red 6 8 11 13 17 14 0% +6 

Petit Verdot 0 173 159 183 162 2% +162 

Pinot Noir 12 136 209 284 292 3% +280 

Red Frontignac - - - 8 8 0% +8 

Rubired 21 17 0 8 19 0% -2 

Ruby Cabernet 255 571 444 326 225 2% -30 

Sagrantino 1 1 5 4 7 0% +7 

Sangiovese 3 113 97 76 68 1% +65 

Shiraz 1,287 3,749 4,280 4,089 3,576 39% +2,290 

Tarrango 19 26 30 4 4 0% -16 

Tempranillo - 9 34 66 57 1% +57 

Not surveyed - - - - 225 2% +225 

Total red (ha) 3,323 10,444 10,923 10,216 9,178 100% +5,855 

% Bearing 37% 86% 90% 94% 97% 

% Non-bearing 63% 14% 10% 6% 3% 

6 Other red varieties includes; Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Italian varieties, Lagrein, Lambrusco Maestri, 

Tannat, Touriga and Zinfandal 


yield (tonnes/hectare) 

5.2 Wine grape production 1997 to 2014 

Estimates of wine grape yields (tonnes/hectare) in the Murray Valley study area were derived by 

dividing tonnages reported in annual Wine Grape Crush Surveys 7 by hectares of bearing vines 

from SunRISE crop mapping (Figure 12 and Figure 13). 

The average yield in 2014 across all varieties was 23 tonnes/ha, and ranged from 18 to 23 

tonnes/ha in the seasons 1997, 2003, 2006 and 2009 (Figure 16). The yield averages are slightly 

higher than those reported previously (19 tonnes/ha; Martin, Dunn, & Krstic (2007), or 20 

tonnes/ha (range 5 to 43 tonnes/ha); Retallack (2012)). 

Note that the average yields in Figure 16 are derived from bearing plantings across corporate, 

contracted and uncontracted vineyards. The estimate assumes that: 

 

All bearing vines were harvested; whereas each season some crop is not harvested due to 

being uncontracted or damaged for example by drought, heat damage, flooding or 

moulds. 

 

Vines less than three years old are not harvested (although there may be some small 

crop). 

Note also that the Wine Grape Crush Survey may slightly over or under-represent intake in the 

earlier surveys because not all wineries submit their data, and some Murray Valley fruit is 

crushed by wineries outside the survey or wineries bring fruit in from outside the Murray Valley 

study area. 

Figure 16: Average yield (tonnes/hectare) from bearing wine grape plantings 1997 to 2014 

30 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

25 

20 

whites 

reds 

total 

15 

10 

Wine grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Change 1997-2014 

% t/ha 

White 22.9 20.7 24.5 20.8 25.3 + 11% + 2.5 

Red 23.3 15.7 18.4 17.0 19.9 - 15% - 3.4 

Average tonnes/ha 22.9 18.1 21.4 18.9 22.7 - 1% - 0.2 

7 Wine Grape Crush Survey data compiled and published on behalf of Murray Valley Winegrowers Inc. by 

Agriculture Victoria (1997), Department of Primary Industries (2003), Department of Primary Industries 

(2006), Department of Primary Industries (2009) and Hickey & Hengsen (2014). 


5.3 Wine grape plantings yet to come into production 

Only 530 hectares (3%) of wine grape plantings were non-bearing in 2014 (less than three years 

old), and these were predominantly planted on large corporate holdings. The non-bearing 

plantings will come into production in 2015-2017. 

Figure 17 provides an indication of the tonnages (11,801 tonnes) that the 2014 non-bearing 

plantings will contribute once they reach full production. The tonnages are estimates based on 

2014 average yields as per Figure 16. 

Production from the 2014 non-bearing plantings represents a 3% increase on the 2014 production 

(413,627 tonnes) from bearing plantings. 

Figure 17: Projected tonnage from wine grape plantings that were non-bearing in 2014 

2014 

Bearing 

(ha) 

2014 Nonbearing 

(ha) 

Production from 

2014 Wine Grape 

Crush Report 

(tonnes) 

Projected production 

from 2014 nonbearing 

plantings 

(tonnes) 

White wine grapes 9,342 230 236,803 5,820 

Red wine grapes 8,878 300 176,824 5,981 

Total hectares 18,220 530 

Production estimate (tonnes) 413,627 11,801 


price $/tonne 

5.4 Wine grape prices 1997 to 2014 

Price ($/tonne) data presented in Figure 18 is sourced from Wine Grape Crush Reports 1997 to 

2014. The prices are averages that include purchased grapes as well as winery grown grapes. 

Prices for wine grapes purchased from the Murray Valley decreased by 59% for red grape 

varieties and by 33% for white grape varieties between 1997 and 2014. 

Figure 18: 

Weighted average price ($/tonne) for wine grapes from the Murray Valley 

$900 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

$800 

$700 

$600 

$500 

white varieties 

red varieties 

all varieties. 

$400 

$300 

$200 

Wine grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Change 1997-2014 

% $ 

White $ 443 $ 591 $ 369 $ 341 $ 297 - 33 % -$ 146 

Red $ 811 $ 586 $ 379 $ 407 $ 334 - 59 % -$ 477 

Weighted average 

($/tonne) 

$ 493 $ 589 $ 373 $ 370 $ 313 - 37 % -$ 180 


price $/tonne 

5.4.1 Average prices for white wine grape varieties 

Average prices ($/tonne) for white wine grapes grown in the Murray Valley (Figure 19) were 

collated from annual Wine Grape Crush Surveys. 

The weighted average price for white varieties has decreased by $146/tonne since 1997. 

Figure 19: Average prices ($/tonne) for white wine grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

$1,100 

$1,000 

$900 

$800 

$700 

$600 

$500 

$400 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Chardonnay 

Chenin Blanc 

Colombard 

Crouchen 

Gordo 

Other white 

Pinot Gris 

Riesling 

SauvignonBlanc 

Semillon 

$300 

Sultana 

$200 

Viognier 

Verdelho 

$100 

White varieties 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 Change 8 

crush 1997-2014 

Chardonnay $1,024 $867 $382 $293 $242 45% -$782 

Chenin Blanc $431 $373 $337 $460 $239 0% -$192 

Colombard $393 $366 $301 $283 $251 6% -$143 

Crouchen $584 $483 $496 $444 $414 1% -$170 

Doradillo $206 $258 - - 

Fiano $397 1% $397 

Frontignac $88 $383 $287 0% $199 

Gordo $356 $353 $350 $366 $279 11% -$78 

Muscat $1,133 $694 $356 3% -$777 

Other white 9 $193 $300 $416 $395 $314 0% $120 

Pinot Gris $687 $677 $611 $455 14% -$232 

Riesling $424 $505 $395 $381 $481 1% $57 

Sauvignon Blanc $395 $523 $502 $456 $354 12% -$41 

Semillon $528 $483 $378 $309 $233 5% -$296 

Sultana $269 $309 $263 $272 $194 0% -$75 

Traminer $259 $610 $246 $209 0% -$50 

Verdelho $416 $328 $274 $347 0% -$69 

Viognier $1,014 $542 $389 $348 1% -$666 

Waltham $260 $287 - - 

Weighted 

average $/tonne 

$ 443 $ 591 $ 369 $ 341 $ 297 100% -$ 146 

8 The change is measured from 2003 if there was no intake reported for a particular variety in 1997. 


Prosecco, Savignin, Taminga, Tokay Friulilo and Verdejo 


price $/tonne 

5.4.2 Average prices for red wine grape varieties 

Average prices paid for red wine grapes grown in the Murray Valley (Figure 20) were collated 

from annual Wine Grape Crush Reports. 

The weighted average price for red varieties has decreased by $477/tonne since 1997. 

Figure 20: Average prices paid for red wine grape varieties ($/tonne) 1997 to 2014 

$1,100 

$1,000 

$900 

$800 

$700 

$600 

$500 

$400 

$300 

$200 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Red varieties 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Cabernet Sauvignon 

Grenache 

Malbec 

Merlot 

Other red varieties 

Petit Verdot 

PinotNoir 

RubyCabernet 

Sangiovese 

Shiraz 

Tempranillo 

% of 2014 

crush 

Change 

1997-2014 

Cab. Sauvignon $1,051 $538 $362 $413 $328 27% -$722 

Cienna $576 0% - 

Grenache $578 $447 $356 $453 $249 0% -$329 

Malbec $695 $485 $409 $360 0% -$335 

Mataro $723 $320 $262 $238 $315 0% -$408 

Merlot $982 $596 $385 $381 $349 19% -$633 

Other reds 10 $431 $510 $472 $321 $461 0% +$30 

Petit Verdot $464 $321 $392 $290 2% -$174 

Pinot Noir $682 $509 $448 $475 $366 3% -$315 

Red Frontignac $841 $597 0% -$244 

Ruby Cabernet $848 $513 $270 $500 $422 2% -$91 

Sangiovese $494 $269 $402 $347 0% -$147 

Shiraz $1,023 $657 $399 $416 $323 44% -$700 

Tempranillo $513 $396 $460 $290 1% -$224 

Weighted average 

$/tonne 

$ 811 $ 586 $ 379 $ 407 $ 334 100% -$ 477 

10 Other red varieties includes; Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Italian varieties, Lagrein, Lambrusco 

Maestri, Tannat, Touriga and Zinfandal 


Red 

White 

return ($/tonne) 

hectares planted (bearing 

and non bearing) 

return ($/tonne) 

hectares planted (bearing and 

non bearing) 

5.4.3 Pricing and wine grape planting trends 

High prices for red wine grapes in the late 1990s coincides with a surge in planting of red wine 

grape varieties in the Murray Valley between 1997 and 2003. Hectares peaked in 2006 although 

prices were very low by 2006. 

Similarly, an increase in the average price for white wine grapes between 1997 and 2003 was 

followed by an increase in white wine grape plantings that continued to 2006. Wine grape 

planted areas have retracted since 2006 coinciding with stable but low average prices. 

Figure 21: 

Trends in the planted hectares of Murray Valley wine grapes as prices fluctuate 

$900 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

14,000 

12,000 

$600 

$300 

$443 

$591 

$369 

$341 

$297 

10,000 

8,000 

6,000 

4,000 

2,000 

$0 

$900 

$811 

- 

14,000 

12,000 

$600 

$586 

10,000 

8,000 

$300 

$379 

$407 

$334 

6,000 

4,000 

2,000 

$0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

- 

Change 1997- 

2014 

Hectares 10,407 11,246 12,877 11,709 9,572 - 835 ha 

Price ($/t) $ 443 $ 591 $ 369 $ 341 $ 297 -$ 146 

Hectares 3,323 10,444 10,923 10,216 9,178 + 5,855 ha 

Price ($/t) $ 811 $ 586 $ 379 $ 407 $ 334 -$ 477 


Crop value 

($ million dollars) 

5.5 Crop value of wine grapes 1997 to 2014 

5.5.1 Regional income from wine grapes 

Crop values provide an indication of the (potential) contribution to regional or National income 

from annual production of a crop. 

Crop values for Murray Valley wine grapes are published in the annual Wine Grape Crush Surveys 

and are summarised in Figure 22. 

Regional income from wine grapes increased from $103 million in 1997 to $129 million in 2014; a 

26% increase. 

Figure 22: Crop value ($ million) from Murray Valley wine grape crush surveys 1997 to 2014 

$120 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

$100 

$80 

$60 


red varieties 

$40 

$20 

Wine grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of total 

2014 income 

Change 

1997-2014 

White $79.8 $101.6 $87.1 $72.3 $70.3 54% - $9.4 

Red $22.9 $82.4 $68.3 $66.3 $59.0 46% + $36.1 

7 

Total ($ million) $102.7 $184.0 $155.3 $138.6 $129.4 100% + $26.6 


farm gate value $/hectare 

5.5.2 Farm gate value of wine grape production 

Figure 23 shows the change in farm gate value of wine production from 1997 to 2014. The farm 

gate values (return $/hectare) have been calculated using Grape Crush Survey crop values (Figure 

22) and hectares of bearing wine grape plantings from SunRISE crop mapping (Figure 11). 

Farm gate value ($/hectare) represents the gross return to growers before deducting costs of 

production. Costs of production are not considered in this analysis (and are not a part of the 

project brief), but they vary over time and have a significant impact on net income. Costs of 

production from 2002 to 2011 have been reported by WGGA (2008), Retallack (2010) and 

Retallack (2012). Information on costs of production can also be sourced from relevant industry 

groups. 

Farm gate value of wine production has declined by 37% since 1997; from $11,300 per hectare in 

1997 to $7,100 per hectare in 2014. 

Figure 23: Change in farm gate value ($/hectare) of wine grapes from 1997 to 2014 

$20,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 


$15,000 

red varieties 

$10,000 

Average of red 

and white 

varieties. 

$5,000 

Wine grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Change 1997-2014 

% $/ha 

White $10,127 $12,257 $9,058 $7,089 $7,528 - 26% - $2,599 

Red $18,917 $9,180 $6,975 $6,901 $6,650 - 65% - $12,267 

$/hectare $11,300 $10,658 $8,007 $6,998 $7,100 - 37% - $4,200 


Hectares 

5.6 Irrigation methods for wine grape plantings 

Figure 24 summarises irrigation methods for wine grape plantings from 1997 to 2014. 

The dominant irrigation method changed from furrow irrigation to drip irrigation b etween 1997 

and 2003. 

81% of wine grape plantings are drip irrigated. 

Figure 24: Change in irrigation methods for wine grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

25,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

20,000 

15,000 

Drip 

Low level 

10,000 

Overhead 

Furrow 

5,000 

Irrigation 

method 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change (ha) 

1997-2014 

Drip 2,990 9,200 12,900 15,885 15,190 81% +12,200 

Low level 1,090 2,730 2,750 1,950 1,290 7% +200 

Overhead 6,000 7,630 6,900 3,750 2,160 12% -3,840 

Furrow 3,650 2,130 1,250 340 110 1% -3,540 

Total (ha) 13,730 21,690 23,800 21,925 18,750 100% +5,020 


hectares 

5.7 Rootstocks of wine grape plantings 1997 to 2014 

Figure 25 lists rootstocks of wine grape plantings in the Murray Valley study area and shows the 


are either on their own roots or have been top worked on to the roots of the previous variety. 


dominant rootstocks are; Ramsey (30% of plantings), Schwarzmann (12% of plantings), Paulsen 

1103 (8% of plantings) and Ruggeri (7% of plantings). 

Figure 25: Change in rootstocks of wine grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

25,000 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

5,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 


total 1997-2014 

Not on a rootstock 8,697 9,817 9,005 7,333 6,247 33% -2,449 

Dog Ridge 86 209 293 342 318 2% +232 

Harmony 149 140 125 82 66 0% -83 

Kober 5BB 8 185 232 269 248 1% +240 

K51-32 31 99 102 81 64 0% +33 

K51-40 114 252 269 249 172 1% +57 

101-14 23 125 252 264 266 1% +243 

Paulsen 1103 25 676 1,533 1,727 1,477 8% +1,452 

Ramsey 2,955 5,696 6,986 6,731 5,698 30% +2,744 

Richter 99,110 11 56 55 69 75 0% +63 

Ruggeri 140 220 1,062 1,337 1,425 1,362 7% +1,142 

Schwarzmann 1,073 2,740 2,913 2,682 2,206 12% +1,133 

SO4 31 56 79 78 70 0% +39 

Teleki 5A,5C 293 548 589 568 464 2% +171 

Other rootstocks 15 29 31 25 18 0% +3 


% No rootstock 63% 45% 38% 33% 33% 

% on a rootstock 37% 55% 62% 67% 67% 


Teleki 5A,5C 

SO4 

Schwarzmann 

Ruggeri 140 


Ramsey 

Paulsen 1103 

101-14 

K51-40 

K51-32 

Kober 

Harmony 

Dog Ridge 




5.8 Wine grape property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 

Figure 26 provides an estimate of the number of wine grape growers and their average property 

size. Property size is the total hectares of grapevines, including table and dried grape plantings. 

Figure 26: Change in property numbers and size of wine grape properties from 1997 to 2014 

1,600 

1,400 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1,200 

100 to 500 ha 

429 443 

50 to 100 ha 

1,000 

394 

20 to 50 ha 

800 

245 

10 to 20 ha 

600 453 442 

401 

5 to 10 ha 

400 

295 154 

1 to 5 ha 

200 342 354 

172 

313 234 

141 

0 

Property size 


1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

(grape area) 

total 1997-2014 

1 to 5 ha 342 354 313 234 141 21% -201 

5 to 10 ha 453 442 401 295 172 26% -281 

10 to 20 ha 429 443 394 245 154 23% -275 

20 to 40 ha 147 182 156 133 110 16% -37 

40 to 100 ha 34 53 56 50 55 8% +21 

100 to 500 ha 9 34 37 34 28 4% +19 

> 500 ha 1 5 6 7 1% +7 

Total properties 1,414 1,509 1,362 997 667 100% -747 


> 500 ha 

In 2014, there were 667 wine grape properties with a total of 21,915 hectares of grapevines. 31% 

(205) of the 667 wine grape properties also produced table and/or dried grapes. Production 

across the 21,915 hectares of grapevines comprised 1,560 hectares dried, 1,605 hectares fresh 

table grapes and 18,750 hectares wine grapes. 

30% of wine grape properties are over 20 ha and grow 82% of the grape plantings (Figure 27). 

Figure 27: Wine grape properties in 2014 

Property 2014 % of total 2014 % of total 

size(grape area) Properties properties Hectares hectares 

1 to 5 ha 141 21% 445 2% 

5 to 10 ha 172 26% 1,225 6% 

10 to 20 ha 154 23% 2,185 10% 

20 to 40 ha 110 17% 3,425 16% 

40 to 100 ha 55 8% 3,705 17% 

100 to 500 ha 28 4% 5,960 27% 

> 500 ha 7 1% 4,970 23% 

2014 total 667 100% 21,915 100% 


Sun 

muscat 

Sultana 

types 

Raisin 

Currant 

6. Dried grape industry analysis 

Hectares 

6.1 Change in dried grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

In 1997, 2009 and 2014 the proportion of non-bearing areas (less than 3 years old) was 5% to 6% 

(Figure 28). The relatively high proportion (19%) of non-bearing areas in 2003 was due to large 

plantings of Sultanas as well as new plantings of Carina currants and Sunmuscat. 

Further details on the 6% of non-bearing dried grape plantings in 2014 are provided in Figure 33. 

Figure 28: 

Summary of bearing and non-bearing dried grape plantings 

Other 11 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

Bearing 456 336 370 350 369 10% -88 

Non-bearing 53 107 160 22 19 1% -34 

Bearing 420 255 190 174 179 5% -241 

Non-bearing 23 10 58 22 3 0% -21 

Bearing 6,623 4,254 3,907 2,504 2,270 63% -4,353 

Non-bearing 344 795 114 82 124 3% -220 

Bearing 7 140 360 425 535 15% +528 

Non-bearing 10 222 68 55 71 2% +61 

Bearing 13 9 9 2 7 0% -6 

Non-bearing 0 1 0 4 5 0% +5 

Total (ha) 7,950 6,130 5,235 3,640 3,580 100% -4,370 

% Bearing 95% 81% 92% 95% 94% 

% Non-bearing 5% 19% 8% 5% 6% 

Currant non-bear 

Currant bearing 

Raisin non-bear 

Raisin bearing 

Sultana non-bear 

Sultana bearing 

Sunmuscat non-b 

Sunmuscat bearing 

Other non-bearing 

Other bearing 

11 Other dried varieties include; Bruce’s Sport, Flame Seedless, Grants, Hannaman Currant, Italia Muscat, 

Ruby Seedless 


Sultana types 

Raisin 

Currant 

6.1.1 Hectares of bearing and non-bearing dried grape varieties 

Figure 29 shows the area (hectares) of bearing and non-bearing dried grape varieties from 1997 

to 2014. 

The non-bearing areas give an indication of the popularity of different varieties in each season. 

Figure 29: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing dried grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Variety 

1997 (ha) 2003 (ha) 2006 (ha) 2009 (ha) 2014 (ha) 

bearing 

Nonbearing 

bearing 

Nonbearing 

bearing 

Nonbearing 

bearing 

Nonbearing 

bearing 

Nonbearing 

Black Gem - - - - - - - - 1 1 

Carina 148 35 150 107 242 159 316 22 345 17 

Zante 308 18 186 0 128 0 33 0 23 0 

Gordo 250 21 168 10 132 54 139 22 151 3 

Waltham 170 2 87 1 58 4 35 0 28 0 

Diamond Muscat - - - - - - - 5 6 38 

MenindeeSeedless 7 6 14 5 17 1 14 1 11 4 

Merbein Seedless 30 2 18 4 21 1 15 1 10 1 

Selma Pete - - - - - - - - 2 7 

Shirana - - 2 5 6 27 27 0 26 0 

Sultana 6,587 336 4,221 781 3,864 86 2,449 73 2,206 48 

Summer Muscat - - - - - - - 2 9 1 

Sunglo - - - - - - - - 1 25 

Sunmuscat 7 10 140 222 360 68 425 55 535 71 

Other 13 0 9 1 9 0 2 4 7 5 

Total hectares 7,520 430 4,995 1,135 4,835 400 3,455 185 3,360 220 

% bearing/non-bearing 95% 5% 81% 19% 92% 8% 95% 5% 94% 6% 


Sultana types 

Raisin 

Currant 

Hectares 

6.1.2 Change in dried grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Figure 30 shows the total area (bearing and non-bearing hectares (Figure 29)) of dried grape 

varieties and change from 1997 to 2014. 

The overall area of Sultana plantings consigned to the dried fruit market declined by 4,6 69 

hectares between 1997 and 2014. Gordo, Waltham, Zante and Merbein Seedless varieties have 

also declined. 

On the other hand, Sunmuscat plantings increased by 589 hectares and Carina by 179 hectares. 

Figure 30: Change in hectares of dried grape varieties from 1997 to 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

Currant 

Raisin 

Sultana 

Sunmuscat 

Other 

0 

Variety 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

Black Gem - - - - 3 0% +3 

Carina 183 257 401 338 363 10% +179 

Zante 326 186 129 33 23 1% -303 

Gordo 271 178 187 161 154 4% -118 

Waltham 172 88 61 35 28 1% -144 

Diamond Muscat - - - 5 44 1% +44 

Menindee Seedless 12 18 18 14 16 0% +3 

Merbein Seedless 31 21 21 16 10 0% -21 

Selma Pete - - - - 8 0% +8 

Shirana 0 7 32 27 26 1% +25 

Sultana 6,923 5,003 3,949 2,522 2,254 63% -4,669 

Summer Muscat - - - 2 10 0% +10 

Sunglo - - - - 26 1% +26 

Sunmuscat 17 361 428 480 606 17% +589 

Other 13 10 9 7 12 0% -1 

Total hectares 7,950 6,130 5,235 3,640 3,580 100% -4,370 


Yield (tonnes/hectare) 

6.2 Dried grape production 1997 to 2014 

The Murray Valley accounts for 98% of National dried grape production. Figure 31 shows 

production (dried tonnes) for the Murray Valley based on aggregated data from Horticulture 

Australia, made available by Dried Fruits Australia. 

Figure 31: Dried grapes from the Murray Valley (tonnes) delivered to packers 1997 to 2013 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2013 

% of total 

in 2013 

Change (t) 

1997-2013 

Sultanas 23,976 13,724 23,182 12,432 11,081 62% - 12,895 

Sunmuscat - 895 1,847 1,641 3,247 18% + 3,247 

Raisins 1,932 1,304 1,306 1,115 1,120 6% - 812 

Currants 2,893 2,010 2,689 1,999 2,494 14% - 399 

Other - 31 48 23 65 0% + 65 

Total dried tonnes 28,802 17,963 29,072 17,210 18,007 100% - 10,794 

Average yields (dried tonnes per hectare) for the Murray Valley were calculated from tonnages in 

Figure 31 and SunRISE hectares for bearing dried grape plantings (Figure 28). 

Yields have, in general, increased since 1997 with the average yield in 2013 40% (1.5 tonnes/ha) 

higher than in 1997. The 2013 yields are approximate as they are based on 2013 tonnages and 

2014 hectares. 2014 tonnages were unavailable at the time of the analysis. 

Figure 32: Average yields (dried tonnes/ha) for dried grape fruit 1997 to 2013 

8.0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2013 

7.0 

6.0 

5.0 

4.0 

Sultanas 

Sunmuscat 

Raisins 

Currants 

3.0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 12 2013 

Change 1997 to 2013 

% tonnes/ha 

Sultanas 3.6 3.2 5.9 5.0 4.9 + 35% + 1.3 

Sunmuscat - 6.4 5.1 3.9 6.1 - 5% - 0.3 

Raisins 4.6 5.1 6.9 6.4 6.3 + 36% + 1.7 

Currants 6.3 6.0 7.3 5.7 6.8 + 7% + 0.4 

Other - 3.4 5.6 4.0 8.8 + 161% + 5.4 

weighted average 

(dried tonnes/ha) 

3.8 3.6 6.0 5.0 5.4 + 40% + 1.5 

dried tonnes/acre 1.5 1.5 2.4 2.0 2.2 

12 Severe sunburn impacted on the Sunmuscat crop in 2009, hence the unprecedented low Sunmuscat yields 

in this season. 


Sultana types 

Raisin 

Currant 

6.3 Dried grape plantings yet to come into production 

220 hectares of dried grape plantings were non-bearing (less than three years old) in 2014 and 

will come into production in 2015-2017. Figure 33 provides an indication of the tonnages that 

those plantings will contribute to annual crops as they reach full production. 

The projected tonnage from 2014 bearing plantings (18,007 dried tonnes) has been calculated 

using the 2013 average yields from Figure 32. And as 2013 yields are calculated using 2014 

hectares, tonnages for 2013 and 2014 are the same. 

The projected tonnage from 2014 non-bearing plantings (1,936 tonnes) has been calculated using 

the highest 2013 average yield from Figure 32 (8.8 tonnes/ha) as new plantings and new varieties 

(e.g. Sunglo) are yielding much higher than district averages. 

The projected production from 2014 non-bearing plantings (1,936 tonnes) represents an 11% 

increase on the estimated 2014 production from bearing plantings (18,007 tonnes). 

Figure 33: Projected tonnage from dried grape varieties that were non-bearing in 2014 

Variety 

2014 

Bearing 

(ha) 

2014 

Non-bearing 

(ha) 

Production estimate 

from 2014 bearing 

plantings 

(dried tonnes) 


from 2014 non-bearing 

plantings 


Black Gem 1 1 8 12 

Carina 345 17 2,333 152 

Zante 23 - 153 - 

Gordo 151 3 947 22 

Waltham 28 - 173 - 

Diamond Muscat 6 38 30 330 

Menindee Seedless 11 4 54 39 

Merbein Seedless 10 1 48 5 

Selma Pete 2 7 9 58 

Shirana 26 - 126 - 

Sultana 2,206 48 10,769 424 

Summer Muscat 9 1 44 10 

Sunglo 1 25 3 222 

Sunmuscat 535 71 3,247 621 

Other 7 5 65 41 

Total hectares 3,360 220 

Production estimate 


18,007 1,936 


weighted averag eprice ($/tonne) 

6.4 Dried grape prices 1997 to 2014 

Weighted average prices ($ per dried tonne) paid for dried grapes purchased from the Murray 

Valley are shown in Figure 34. The weighted average price takes into account the proportion of 

fruit received as 5-crown, 4-crown and 3-crown, light or dark. 

Consolidated data were provided by Sunbeam Foods and Horticulture Australia with the 

exception of 2014 values which are estimates as advised by Dried Fruits Australia. 2014 was a 

poor season for Sultanas with only a small proportion of the crop classed as light colour and the 

majority being 4 crown brown at $1,700/tonne. 

Figure 34: 

Weighted average price ($/dried tonne) for dried grape fruit from 1997 to 2013 13 , and 

estimated prices for 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 

$2,200 

$2,000 

$1,800 

$1,600 

$1,400 

$1,200 

$1,000 

sultanas Sunmuscat Currants other Raisins 

1997 2003 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 

Sultana $1,390 $1,323 $1,203 $1,252 $1,758 $1,758 $1,726 $1,609 $1,941 $1,701 $1,700 

Sunmuscat $1,390 $1,323 $1,285 $1,385 $1,850 $1,820 $1,820 $1,820 $1,880 $1,704 $1,700 

Currants $1,557 $1,869 $1,280 $1,280 $1,289 $1,754 $1,759 $1,581 $2,133 $1,776 $1,675 

Raisins $1,750 $1,700 $1,625 $1,625 $1,650 $1,825 $1,825 $1,825 $1,965 $1,900 $1,736 

Other $1,203 $1,600 $1,600 $1,600 $1,600 $1,600 $1,700 

Ave. $/dried 

tonne 

$1,431 $1,412 $1,234 $1,286 $1,752 $1,767 $1,742 $1,646 $1,953 $1,725 $1,699 

13 Consolidated data sourced from Horticulture Australia. 


price ($/ dried tonne) 

hectares (bearing and 

non bearing) 

price $/ dried tonne 

hectares (bearing 


price ($/dried tonne) 

hecatres (bearing 


price ($/dried tonne) 

hectares (bearing 


6.4.1 Trends in dried grape plantings as prices fluctuate 

The charts in Figure 35 track changes from 1997 to 2014 of average prices and corresponding 

planted area (hectares) of sultanas, sunmuscat, currants and raisins. Sunmuscat has been the 

preferred variety for new or redeveloped dried grape plantings. 

Figure 35: 

Trends in planted hectares of dried grapes as prices fluctuate 

$2,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

sultanas (hectares) 

sultanas ($/tonne) 

8,000 

$1,500 

6,000 

$1,000 

4,000 

$500 

2,000 

$- 

$2,000 

sunmuscat (hectares) 

sunmuscat ($/tonne) 

- 

1,000 

$1,500 

750 

$1,000 

500 

$500 

250 

$- 

$2,000 

currants (hectares) 

currants ($/tonne) 

0 

1,000 

$1,500 

750 

$1,000 

$500 

$- 

$2,000 

500 

250 

0 

1,000 

$1,500 

raisins (hectares) 

raisins ($/tonne) 

750 

$1,000 

500 

$500 

250 

$- 

Sultana 

Sunmuscat 

Currant 

Raisin 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

6,967 5,050 4,021 2,586 2,393 hectares 

$ 1,390 $ 1,323 $ 1,203 $ 1,758 $ 1,700 price ($/dried t) 

17 362 428 480 606 hectares 

$ 1,390 $ 1,323 $ 1,285 $ 1,820 $ 1,700 price ($/dried t) 

509 443 530 371 387 hectares 

$ 1,557 $ 1,869 $ 1,280 $ 1,754 $ 1,675 price ($/dried t) 

443 266 248 196 181 hectares 

$1,750 $ 1,700 $ 1,625 $ 1,825 $ 1,736 price ($/dried t) 

0 


Regional income ($ million) 

6.5 Crop value of dried grapes 1997 to 2014 

6.5.1 Regional income from dried grapes 

Crop values provide an indication of the (potential) contribution to regional or National income 

from annual production of a crop. 

Crop value of Murray Valley dried grape fruit has been calculated from: 

Bearing hectares from SunRISE mapping as per Figure 29 

 

98% of National dried fruit intake as per Figure 32, and 

Weighted average prices as per Figure 34 

Crop value $ = area bearing (ha) × average yield (tonnes/ha) × average price ($/tonne) 

Average yields in 2013 were used to estimate 2014 crop values. 

Figure 36: Regional income ($ million) from dried grape fruit based on intake data and 2014 

estimates 

$45 

$40 

1997 2003 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 

Raisins Other Currants Sunmuscat Sultanas 

$35 

1997 2003 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 

Sultanas $33.3 $18.2 $27.9 $16.3 $13.3 $21.9 $14.7 $6.8 $16.1 $18.9 $18.8 

Sunmuscat - $1.2 $2.3 $2.4 $2.1 $2.9 $3.2 $1.9 $4.8 $5.5 $5.5 

Currants $4.5 $3.8 $3.4 $2.3 $2.9 $3.5 $2.1 $1.8 $4.7 $4.4 $4.2 

Raisins $3.4 $2.2 $2.1 $1.2 $0.9 $2.0 $2.1 $0.7 $1.4 $2.1 $1.9 

Other - $0.1 $0.1 - - - $1.4 $1.0 $0.6 $0.1 $0.1 

Total ($ 

million) 

$30 

$25 

$20 

$15 

$10 

$5 

$0 

$41.2 $25.4 $35.9 $22.2 $19.2 $30.4 $23.4 $12.2 $27.5 $31.0 $30.6 


gross income ($/ha) 

6.5.2 Farm gate value of dried grape fruit from 1997 to 2014 

Farm gate value ($ per hectare) of dried grape production has also been calculated (Figure 37). 

Farm gate value represents the gross return to growers before deducting costs of production. 

Costs of production are not considered in this analysis (and are not a part of the project brief), 

but they vary over time and have a significant impact on net income. Information on costs of 

production can be sourced from relevant industry groups. 

Between 1997 and 2014, there was a 66% increase in the average gross income ($ per hectare) 

for dried grape fruit. 

Figure 37: Farm gate value or gross income ($/hectare) for dried grape fruit 1997 to 2014 

$14,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

$12,000 

$10,000 

$8,000 

$6,000 

sultanas 

sunmuscat 

currants 

raisins 

$4,000 

$2,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Change 1997-2014 

% $/ha 

Sultanas $5,031 $4,269 $7,150 $8,749 $8,300 + 65% + $3,269 

Sunmuscat - $8,289 $6,469 $6,882 $10,313 + 24% + $2,024 

Raisins $8,048 $8,677 $11,172 $11,709 $10,877 + 35% + $2,829 

Currants $9,867 $11,171 $9,301 $10,033 $11,326 + 15% + $1,460 

Other - $7,046 $6,782 $14,676 $14,924 + 112% + $7,878 

Weighted mean $/ha $5,479 $5,076 $7,422 $8,802 $9,104 + 66% + $3,625 


Hectares 

6.6 Irrigation methods for dried grape plantings 

Figure 38 summarises irrigation methods for dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014. 

Drip irrigation has been the dominant irrigation method since 2009, replacing furrow irrigation as 

the dominant method. Drip irrigation increased by 1,850 hectares between 1997 and 2014. 

Figure 38: Change in irrigation methods for dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

8,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

6,000 

4,000 

Drip 

Low level 

Overhead 

2,000 

Furrow 

Irrigation 

method 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change (ha) 

1997-2014 

Drip 230 1,145 1,385 1,605 2,080 58% +1,850 

Low level 630 820 880 705 630 18% 0 

Overhead 1,470 995 735 310 220 6% -1,250 

Furrow 5,620 3,170 2,235 1,020 650 18% -4,970 

Total (ha) 7,950 6,130 5,235 3,640 3,580 100% -4,370 


hectares 

6.7 Rootstocks of dried grape plantings 1997 to 2014 

Figure 39 lists rootstocks of dried grape plantings in the Murray Valley study area and shows the 



The proportion of plantings on a rootstock increased from 14% in 1997 to 69% in 2014. 

The dominant rootstocks are; Ramsey (39% of plantings), Paulsen 1103 (19% of plantings) and 

Schwarzmann (7% of plantings). 

Figure 39: Change in rootstocks of dried grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

0 


1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 


total 1997-2014 


Dog Ridge 7 15 23 28 32 1% +25 

Harmony 34 32 30 31 28 1% -6 

Kober 5BB - 5 8 6 2 0% +2 

K51-32 13 11 13 12 16 0% +2 

K51-40 6 10 6 7 7 0% +1 

101-14 1 1 3 2 7 0% +6 

Paulsen 1103 11 293 370 427 688 19% +677 

Ramsey 834 1,434 1,509 1,300 1,380 39% +546 

Richter 99,110 2 2 2 2 1 0% -1 

Ruggeri 140 5 19 49 27 48 1% +43 

Schwarzmann 125 253 265 238 245 7% +120 

SO4 - - - - - - - 

Teleki 5A,5C 41 42 41 36 31 1% -11 

Other rootstocks 5 7 8 6 2 0% -3 

Total hectares 7,950 6,130 5,235 3,640 3,580 100% -4,370 

%Not on rootstock 86% 65% 56% 42% 31% 

% On a rootstock 14% 35% 44% 58% 69% 


Teleki 5A,5C 

Schwarzmann 

Ruggeri 140 


Ramsey 

Paulsen 1103 

101-14 

K51-40 

K51-32 

Kober 5BB 

Harmony 

Dog Ridge 



6.8 Dried grape property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 

Figure 40 provides an estimate of the number of dried grape growers and their average property 

size. Property size is the total hectares of grapevines, including any table and wine grape 

plantings. 

Figure 40: Property numbers and average size of dried grape properties 1997 to 2014 

1,400 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1,200 

> 500 ha 

1,000 366 

100 to 500 ha 

50 to 100 ha 

800 

269 

20 to 50 ha 

600 

504 

197 

10 to 20 ha 

400 

349 

266 104 

90 

5 to 10 ha 

174 

200 

308 149 

237 234 1 to 5 ha 

169 114 

0 

Property size 


1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

(grape area) 

total 1997-2014 

1 to 5 ha 308 237 234 169 114 29% -194 

5 to 10 ha 504 349 266 174 149 38% -355 

10 to 20 ha 366 269 197 104 90 23% -276 

20 to 40 ha 83 61 55 38 32 8% -51 

40 to 100 ha 8 7 9 8 7 2% -1 

100 to 500 ha 1 4 5 3 4 1% +3 

> 500 ha 1 1 1 1 0% +1 

No. of properties 1,270 928 767 497 397 100% -873 


In 2014, there were 397 dried grape properties with a total of 5,415 hectares of grapevines. 43% 

(169) of the 397 dried grape properties also produced table and/or wine grapes. Production 

across the 5,415 hectares of grapevines comprised 3,555 hectares dried, 370 hectares table 

grapes and 1,490 hectares wine grapes. 

34% of dried grape properties are over 10 ha and grow 75% of the grape plantings (Figure 41). 

Figure 41: Dried grape properties in 2014 



1 to 5 ha 114 29% 345 6% 

5 to 10 ha 149 38% 1,030 19% 

10 to 20 ha 90 23% 1,270 23% 

20 to 40 ha 32 8% 900 17% 

40 to 100 ha 7 2% 525 10% 

100 to 500 ha 4 1% 830 15% 

> 500 ha 1 0% 515 10% 

2014 total 397 100% 5,415 100% 


Hectares 

7. Table grape industry analysis 

7.1 Change in table grape plantings 1997 to 2014 

New table grape plantings between 1997 and 2014 have predominantly been red grape varieties. 

The proportion of red table grape plantings increased from 25% of 1997 table grape plantings to 

57% of 2014 plantings. 

The proportion of black table grape plantings increased slightly, from 2% of 1 997 plantings to 8% 

of 2014 plantings, while white table grapes declined from 73% of 1997 plantings to just 36% of 

2014 plantings. 

Figure 42: Summary of bearing and non-bearing table grape plantings (hectares) 1997 to 2014 

9,000 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Table grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

Black non-bearing 16 18 292 206 102 1% +86 

Black bearing 80 73 73 342 568 6% +488 

Red non-bearing 408 1,099 755 709 1,123 13% +715 

Red bearing 991 1,728 2,569 2,744 3,835 44% +2,844 

White non-bearing 486 728 528 180 445 5% -41 

White bearing 3,558 4,038 3,823 3,139 2,682 31% -876 

Total table grapes (ha) 5,540 7,685 8,040 7,320 8,755 100% +3,215 

% Bearing 84% 76% 80% 85% 81% 

% Non-bearing 16% 24% 20% 15% 19% 

% Black grapes 2% 1% 5% 7% 8% 

% Red grapes 25% 37% 41% 47% 57% 

% White grapes 73% 62% 54% 45% 36% 


White bearing 


Red bearing 

Black non-bearing 

Black bearing 

Note: Grape varieties for 38% of 2014 non-bearing plantings were not recorded. Hence, 2014 

non-bearing figures in Figure 42 and Figure 43 are extrapolated from 62% of recorded varieties 

and are indicative only. All other figures have been extrapolated with at least 80% of varieties 

recorded. 


White grapes 

Red grapes 

Black grapes 

7.1.1 Hectares of bearing and non-bearing table grape varieties 

The non-bearing areas of table grapes in Figure 43 give an indication of changes in the popularity 

of different varieties. For instance, Red Globe was popular from 1997 to 2003 but new plantings 

of the variety have since declined. 

Figure 43: Hectares of bearing and non-bearing table grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Colour & 

season 

Early 

Mid 

Mid 

1997 (ha) 2003 (ha) 2006 (ha) 2009 (ha) 2014 (ha) 

Non- 

Variety bearing 

bearing bearing Nonbearing 

bearing Nonbearing 



Other 14 4 2 5 1 6 0 4 0 4 1 

PBR varieties 0 0 0 3 3 32 37 63 128 5 

Black Muscat 7 2 10 0 7 1 8 1 9 0 

PBR varieties 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 30 65 

M-L Ribier 39 1 20 0 12 0 8 0 7 0 

Late 

Early 

Mid 

M-L 

Early 

Mid 

AutumnRoyal 0 0 2 10 11 233 231 116 324 30 

Other 15 31 11 36 5 35 24 52 5 45 1 

PBR variety 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 7 21 0 

Cardinal 69 1 40 0 18 0 10 0 4 0 

Flame 147 16 146 17 140 6 93 16 142 28 

Ralli Seedless 7 31 71 42 111 12 103 7 160 50 

Other 16 38 2 28 0 19 0 9 0 5 0 

PBR varieties 0 0 0 1 1 2 3 2 14 85 

Red Emperor 171 10 95 2 66 0 33 0 12 0 

Red Globe 509 333 1,177 335 1,376 121 1,220 52 967 75 

Crimson 32 16 154 654 777 482 1,258 632 2,512 865 

Other 17 17 1 18 48 61 132 16 0 8 0 

PBR variety 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 20 

Menindee 607 286 1,031 276 1,126 122 969 90 814 85 

Other 18 29 8 26 12 33 0 14 0 9 0 

PBR varieties 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 7 2 10 

Other 19 27 9 32 11 32 116 65 0 9 0 

PBR varieties 1 3 6 5 11 0 0 4 6 10 

Thompson 2,595 133 2,655 341 2,292 161 1,896 68 1,658 190 

M-L Waltham 58 0 38 0 30 0 10 0 5 0 

Late 

Calmeria 123 44 163 31 178 16 124 8 105 0 

Ohanez 118 3 79 10 73 12 58 1 33 0 

Other 20 1 0 8 40 47 98 2 0 0 0 

PBR varieties 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 41 150 

Total (hectares) 4,630 910 5,840 1,845 6,465 1,575 6,225 1,095 7,085 1,670 

% Bearing / non-bearing 84% 16% 76% 24% 80% 20% 85% 15% 81% 19% 

PBR varieties are proprietary varieties only recently, or still waiting to be, granted plant variety rights. 

14 Other early-mid season black varieties: Fantasy Seedless, Kyoho, Maroo Seedless 

15 Other late season black varieties: Black America, Purple Cornichon 

16 Other mid season red varieties: Christmas Rose, Queen, Red Malaga, Ruby Seedless 

17 Other mid-late season red varieties: Nyora, Red Prince, Red Rob, Zante 

18 Other early season white varieties: Centennial, Early Muscat, Merbein Seedless, Perlette, Sunmuscat 

19 Other mid season white varieties: Apple, Dawn Seedless, Golden Globe, Italia, Kismiski, Moss Sultana 

20 Other late season white varieties: Hunisa, Jade Seedless, Stanley Seedless 


White grapes 

Red grapes 

Black grapes 

7.1.2 Change in table grape varieties 1997 to 2014 

Figure 44 lists table grape varieties by colour and seasonality and shows change in the total area 

of each variety between 1997 and 2014. 

The dominant table grape varieties, Crimson Seedless (39%), Thompson Seedless (21%), Red 

Globe (12%) and Menindee Seedless (10%), make up 82% of the 2014 planted area of table 

grapes. 

Figure 44: Change in table grape varieties (hectares) 1997 to 2014 

Colour & 

Variety 21 % of 2014 Change 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Season 

total 1997-2014 

Early Other varieties 6 6 6 4 5 0% -1 

Mid PBR varieties - 3 35 99 133 2% +133 

Mid 

Black Muscat 8 10 8 9 9 0% +1 

PBR varieties - - - 14 95 1% +95 

M-L Ribier 40 20 12 8 7 0% -34 

Autumn Royal - 13 243 348 354 4% +354 

Late Other varieties 42 40 59 57 46 1% +5 

PBR variety - - 2 9 21 0% +21 

Cardinal 70 40 18 10 4 0% -65 

Early Flame 163 163 146 109 170 2% +8 

Ralli Seedless 38 112 122 109 210 2% +171 

Other varieties 40 28 19 9 5 0% -35 

Mid 

PBR varieties - 1 3 5 99 1% +99 

Red Emperor 181 97 67 33 12 0% -169 

Red Globe 842 1,513 1,496 1,271 1,042 12% +200 

Crimson 48 808 1,259 1,889 3,377 39% +3,329 

M-L Other varieties 18 66 193 16 8 0% -10 

PBR variety - - - 1 30 0% +30 

Menindee 893 1,307 1,248 1,059 899 10% +6 

Early Other varieties 37 38 34 14 9 0% -27 

PBR varieties - - 1 8 12 0% +12 


Mid PBR varieties 4 11 12 5 16 0% +12 

Thompson 2,728 2,997 2,454 1,965 1,848 21% -880 

M-L Waltham 58 38 30 10 5 0% -53 

Calmeria 167 195 195 132 105 1% -62 

Late 

Ohanez 121 89 85 59 33 0% -88 


PBR varieties - - - 1 191 2% +191 

Total (hectares) 5,540 7,685 8,040 7,320 8,755 100% +3,215 

% Bearing 84% 76% 80% 85% 81% 

% Non-bearing 16% 24% 20% 15% 19% 

M-L = Mid to Late season. 

PBR (Plant Breeders’ Rights) in this table refers to proprietary varieties only recently, or still waiting to be, granted 

plant variety rights 

21 Details of ‘other varieties’ are listed in a footnote on page 52. 


Black 

Red 

White 

Annual production estimate 

(tonnes) 

7.2 Table grape production from 1997 to 2014 

Table grape production (tonnes) has been estimated based on an average yield of 20 kg per vine 

from 1,200 vines/ha. Only the bearing plantings (hectares) from Figure 43 have been used in the 

calculation. 

The greatest increase in production between 1997 and 2014 was in mid- to late-season red grape 

varieties, equating to an estimated 59,534 tonnes of additional fruit as new plantings have come 

into production (Figure 45). There has been a significant decrease in mid-season white varieties 

equating to an estimated reduction of 22,817 tonnes between 1997 and 2014. 

Figure 45: Annual production estimate (tonnes) of table grapes 1997 to 2014 

200,000 

150,000 

100,000 

50,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Black Late 

Black Mid-Late 

Black Mid 

Black Early-Mid 

Red Mid-Late 

Red Mid 

Red Early 

White Late 

White Mid-Late 

White Mid 

White Early 

% of 2014 

total 

Change (t) 

1997-2014 

Early 15,246 25,362 27,822 23,614 19,806 12% +4,560 

Mid 62,951 64,651 56,057 47,075 40,134 24% -22,817 

Mid-Late 1,396 911 714 236 129 0% -1,267 

Late 5,809 5,993 7,168 4,423 4,298 3% -1,511 

Early 5,351 6,150 6,457 4,928 7,343 4% +1,992 

Mid 17,241 31,206 35,092 30,357 23,959 14% +6,718 

Mid-Late 1,194 4,127 20,104 30,565 60,729 36% +59,534 

Early-Mid 99 130 193 981 3,160 2% +3,061 

Mid 157 236 174 183 942 1% +785 

Mid-Late 941 477 292 200 157 0% -784 

Late 734 917 1,087 6,840 9,382 6% +8,648 

Total tonnes0 111,120 140,160 155,160 149,400 170,040 100% +58,920 


Hectares 

7.3 Table grape plantings yet to come into production 

Figure 46 shows the proportion of bearing and non-bearing table grape plantings in 2014 by 

seasonality. 

The main non-bearing (less than three years old) plantings comprise 885 hectares of mid to late 

season red grapes. The 885 hectares of mid to late season red grapes are Crimson Seedless (865 

ha) and PBR varieties (20 ha) as shown in Figure 47. 

Figure 46: Seasonality of bearing and non-bearing table grape varieties in 2014 

3,500 

Early 

Early- 

Mid 

Mid 

Mid- 

Late 

Late 

3,000 

2,500 

2,000 

1,500 

1,000 

500 


White bearing 


Red bearing 

Black non-bearing 

Black bearing 

0 

Table grapes in 2014 Early 

Early- 

Mid- 

% of 2014 

Mid 

Late Total 

Mid 

Late 

total ha 

Black non-bearing - 6 65 - 31 102 1% 

Black bearing - 132 39 7 391 568 6% 

Red non-bearing 78 - 160 885 - 1,123 13% 

Red bearing 306 - 998 2,530 - 3,835 44% 

White non-bearing 95 - 200 - 150 445 5% 

White bearing 825 - 1,672 5 179 2,682 31% 

Total table grapes (ha) 1,304 138 3,135 3,427 751 8,755 

% Bearing 87% 96% 86% 74% 76% 

% Non-bearing 13% 4% 14% 26% 24% 


White grapes 

Red grapes 

Black grapes 

7.3.1 Table grape varieties yet to come into production 

Significant areas (1,670 hectares) of table grapes were non-bearing in 2014 and will come into 

production in 2015–2017. Figure 47 provides an indication of the tonnages (40,080 tonnes) that 

those areas will contribute to the annual crop as they reach full production. 

The largest area of non-bearing plantings in 2014 was Crimson Seedless which will contribute an 

estimated 20,760 tonnes in coming seasons; a 34% increase on 2014 production. 

Production from the 2014 non-bearing plantings represents a 24% increase on the estimated 

2014 production from bearing plantings (170,040 tonnes). 

Figure 47: Projected tonnage from table grape varieties that were non-bearing in 2014 

Colour & 

season 

Early 

Mid 

Mid 

Variety 22 2014 

Bearing 

(ha) 

2014 Nonbearing 

(ha) 

Estimated 

production for 

2014 bearing areas 

(tonnes) 


from 2014 nonbearing 

areas 

(tonnes) 

Other varieties 4 1 87 24 

PBR varieties 128 5 3,073 120 

Black Muscat 9 - 219 0 

PBR varieties 30 65 723 1,560 

M-L Ribier 7 - 157 0 

Autumn Royal 324 30 7,786 720 

Late Other varieties 45 1 1,091 24 

PBR variety 21 - 505 0 

Cardinal 4 - 101 0 

Early Flame 142 28 3,412 672 

Ralli Seedless 160 50 3,830 1,200 

Other varieties 5 - 126 0 

Mid 

PBR varieties 14 85 331 2,040 

Red Emperor 12 - 297 0 

Red Globe 967 75 23,205 1,800 

Crimson 2,512 865 60,291 20,760 

M-L Other varieties 8 - 196 0 

PBR variety 10 20 241 480 

Menindee 814 85 19,540 2,040 

Early Other varieties 9 - 222 0 

PBR varieties 2 10 45 240 

Other varieties 9 - 210 0 

Mid PBR varieties 6 10 140 240 

Thompson 1,658 190 39,784 4,560 

M-L Waltham 5 - 129 0 

Calmeria 105 - 2,526 0 

Late 

Ohanez 33 - 793 0 

Other varieties - - 0 0 

PBR varieties 41 150 979 3,600 

Total hectares 7,085 1,670 

Production estimate (tonnes) 170,040 40,080 

22 Details of ‘other varieties’ are listed in a footnote under Figure 43 on page 52. 


wholesale market price ($/kg) 

7.4 Table grape prices 1997 to 2014 

Wholesale prices ($/kg) paid for table grapes sent into the Melbourne and Sydney wholesale 

markets between January and April (inclusive) from 1997 to 2014 were sourced from Ausmarket 

Consultants. 

The data provided by Ausmarket Consultants represented averages and highest and lowest prices 

per month by variety. SunRISE Mapping are unable to further calculate a weighted average, 

however the average monthly prices already take the volume of delivery at each price into 

consideration, by variety. 

The average prices returned to growers from the wholesale markets increased overall by $ 0.20 

between 1997 and 2014. The greatest price increase ($0.79) was for black grapes. The price of 

white grapes between 1997 and 2014 fell by $0.18. 

Figure 48: 

Average wholesale price ($ per kilogram) for table grapes delivered into Melbourne and 

Sydney markets 1997 to 2014 

$1.70 

$1.60 

$1.50 

$1.40 

$1.30 

$1.20 

$1.10 

$1.00 

$0.90 

$0.80 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Table grapes 1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Change ($) 

1997-2014 

White $ 1.06 $ 1.14 $ 1.02 $ 0.84 $ 0.88 - $ 0.18 

Red $ 1.06 $ 1.10 $ 1.31 $ 1.52 $ 1.39 + $ 0.32 

Black $ 0.89 $ 1.11 $ 1.27 $ 1.40 $ 1.68 + $ 0.79 

Average price $/kg $ 1.03 $ 1.11 $ 1.20 $ 1.32 $ 1.23 + $ 0.20 

Black 

Red 

White 


Black 

Red 

White 

wholesale market price ($/kg) 

7.4.1 Monthly wholesale prices for table grapes delivered into 

the Melbourne and Sydney markets 

Figure 49: 

Monthly average wholesale prices ($ per kilogram) for table grapes at Melbourne and 

Sydney markets between January and April, 1997 to 2014 

$4.00 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

$3.50 

$3.00 

Black Red White 

$2.50 

$2.00 

$1.50 

$1.00 

$0.50 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

January $ 1.31 $ 1.08 $ 1.09 $ 1.17 $ 1.00 

February $ 1.01 $ 0.91 $ 1.08 $ 0.90 $ 0.87 

March $ 0.93 $ 1.21 $ 0.88 $ 0.69 $ 0.79 

April $ 0.97 $ 1.25 $ 1.04 $ 0.79 $ 0.85 

January $ 1.19 $ 1.16 $ 1.36 $ 1.89 $ 1.63 

February $ 1.01 $ 1.12 $ 1.31 $ 1.44 $ 1.32 

March $ 1.03 $ 1.16 $ 1.32 $ 1.35 $ 1.31 

April $ 1.03 $ 0.99 $ 1.18 $ 1.30 $ 1.32 

January $ 1.04 $ 1.90 $ 1.74 $ 3.70 $ 1.91 

February $ 0.82 $ 1.08 $ 1.15 $ 1.43 $ 1.84 

March $ 0.89 $ 1.02 $ 1.17 $ 1.30 $ 1.59 

April $ 0.86 $ 1.06 $ 1.40 $ 1.19 $ 1.31 

Average $/kg $ 1.03 $ 1.11 $ 1.20 $ 1.32 $ 1.23 


White 

Red 

Black 

Price $/kg 

hecatres (bearing and non 

bearing) 

Price $/kg 

hectares (bearing and non 

bearing) 

Price $/kg 

hectares (bearing and 

non bearing) 

7.4.2 Trends in pricing and areas of table grape plantings 

The charts in Figure 50 show change from 1997 to 2014 in average prices for table grape plantings 

(dashed blue lines) and corresponding changes in planted area (hectares). 

Figure 50: 

Trends in planted hectares of table grapes as prices fluctuate 

$1.50 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

Black hectares planted 

Black $/kg 

5,000 

4,000 

$1.00 

3,000 

2,000 

$0.50 

1,000 

$0.00 

0 

$1.50 

Red hectares planted 

Red $/kg 

5,000 

4,000 

$1.00 

3,000 

2,000 

$0.50 

1,000 

$0.00 

White hectares planted 

White $/kg 

0 

5,000 

$1.50 

4,000 

$1.00 

3,000 

$0.50 

2,000 

1,000 

$0.00 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

0 

Change 1997- 

2014 

Hectares 96 92 365 548 670 +574 

Price ($/kg) $0.89 $1.11 $1.27 $1.40 $1.68 +$0.79 

Hectares 1,399 2,827 3,324 3,453 4,958 +3,558 

Price ($/kg) $1.06 $1.10 $1.31 $1.52 $1.39 +$0.33 

Hectares 4,044 4,766 4,351 3,319 3,127 -917 

Price ($/kg) $1.06 $1.14 $1.02 $0.84 $0.88 -$0.18 


Black 

Red 

White 

Contribution to regional 

income ($ million) 

7.5 Crop value of table grapes 1997 to 2014 

Crop value provides an indication of the (potential) annual contribution to regional or National 

income from annual production of a crop. 

Crop value of Murray Valley table grapes was calculated from: 

The area (hectares) of bearing table grape plantings from SunRISE mapping (Figure 43) 

Assuming an average table grape yield of 24,000 kilograms/hectare (20 kg/vine and 1,200 

vines/ha), and 

 

Average prices ($/kilogram) in the Melbourne and Sydney markets. The market price 

applied to each variety is based on the approximate month it is harvested (assuming it is 

sent directly to the market) 

Crop value $ = area bearing (ha) × average yield (kilograms/ha) × average price ($/kilogram) 

Figure 51: Regional income ($ million) from table grapes 1997 to 2014 

$220 

$200 

$180 

$160 

$140 

$120 

$100 

$80 

$60 

$40 

$20 

$- 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

White Late 

White Mid-Late 

White Mid 

White Early 

Red Mid-Late 

Red Mid 

Red Early 

Black Late 

Black Mid-Late 

Black Mid 

Black Early-Mid 

% of total 

in 2014 

Change 

1997-2014 

Early $20.0 $27.4 $30.4 $27.7 $19.8 10% -$0.2 

Mid $63.6 $58.5 $60.3 $42.2 $35.0 17% -$28.6 

Mid-late $1.3 $1.1 $0.6 $0.2 $0.1 0% -$1.2 

Late $5.6 $7.5 $7.4 $3.5 $3.7 2% -$2.0 

Early $6.4 $7.1 $8.8 $9.3 $12.0 6% +$5.6 

Mid $17.4 $34.9 $46.0 $43.8 $31.7 16% +$14.3 

Mid-late $1.2 $4.8 $26.5 $41.2 $79.6 39% +$78.4 

Early-mid $0.1 $0.2 $0.3 $3.6 $6.0 3% +$5.9 

Mid $0.1 $0.3 $0.2 $0.3 $1.7 1% +$1.6 

Mid-late $0.8 $0.5 $0.3 $0.3 $0.2 0% -$0.6 

Late $0.6 $1.0 $1.5 $8.1 $12.2 6% +$11.6 

Total $ million $117.3 $143.3 $182.5 $180.3 $202.1 100% +$84.8 

Farm gate value ($/hectare) of table grape production has also been calculated (Figure 52). Farm 

gate value represents the gross return to growers before deducting costs of production. Costs of 

production are not considered in this analysis (and are not part of the project brief), but they vary 

over time and have a significant impact on net income. Information on production costs can be 

sourced from relevant industry groups. 


Black 

$/hectare gross income 

Red 

$/ha gross income 

White 

$/ha gross income 

7.5.1 Farm gate value of table grapes 1997 to 2014 

Figure 52: Changes in farm gate value (weighted average $/ha) of table grapes 1997 to 2014 

$45,000 

$35,000 

$25,000 

$15,000 

White Early 

White Mid 

White Mid- 

Late 

White Late 

Change 1997-2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% $ 

Early $31,559 $25,960 $26,261 $28,193 $24,013 -24% -$7,545 

Mid $24,261 $21,729 $25,817 $21,526 $20,927 -14% -$3,334 

Mid-late $22,263 $29,108 $21,076 $16,549 $19,011 -15% -$3,252 

Late $23,276 $30,075 $24,907 $19,029 $20,425 -12% -$2,851 

$/hectare $25,409 $27,318 $24,468 $20,145 $21,112 -17% -$4,246 

$45,000 

Red Early 

$35,000 

Red Mid 

$25,000 

$15,000 

Red Mid- 

Late 

Change 1997-2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% $ 

Early-mid $28,642 $27,813 $32,535 $45,421 $39,132 +37% +$10,490 

Mid $24,174 $26,811 $31,483 $34,624 $31,705 +31% +$7,531 

Mid-late $24,810 $27,814 $31,693 $32,372 $31,460 +27% +$6,650 

$/hectare $25,506 $26,304 $31,359 $36,533 $33,295 +31% +$8,224 

$95,000 

$75,000 

$55,000 

$35,000 

Black 

Early-Mid 

Black Mid 

Black Mid- 

Late 

Black Late 

$15,000 

Change 1997-2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% $ 

Early-mid $24,861 $45,620 $41,667 $88,893 $45,836 +84% +$20,975 

Mid $19,759 $26,007 $27,607 $34,389 $44,158 +123% +$24,399 

Mid-late $21,457 $24,416 $28,129 $31,152 $38,204 +78% +$16,747 

Late $20,735 $25,339 $33,522 $28,495 $31,333 +51% +$10,599 

$/hectare $21,474 $26,659 $30,577 $33,624 $40,396 +88% +$18,180 

Wgtd ave. $/ha $24,657 $26,728 $28,859 $31,625 $29,425 +19% +$4,768 


Hectares 

7.6 Irrigation methods for table grape plantings 

Low level sprinklers remained the dominant irrigation method for table grape plantings from 

1997 to 2014. 

96% of plantings are irrigated with low level sprinklers or drippers. 

Figure 53: Change in irrigation methods for table grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

Irrigation 

method 

9,000 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change (ha) 

1997-2014 

Drip 660 1,540 2,230 2,460 4,150 47% +3,490 

Low level 2,170 3,960 4,230 4,110 4,325 49% +2,155 

Overhead 980 1,090 860 565 220 3% -760 

Furrow 1,730 1,095 720 185 60 1% -1,670 

Total (ha) 5,540 7,685 8,040 7,320 8,755 100% +3,215 

Drip 

Low level 

Overhead 

Furrow 


hectares 

7.7 Rootstocks of table grape plantings 1997 to 2014 

Figure 54 lists rootstocks of table grape plantings in the Murray Valley study area and shows the 




dominant rootstocks are; Ramsey (35% of plantings), Schwarzmann (18% of plantings) and 

Paulsen 1103 (12% of plantings). 

Figure 54: Change in rootstocks of table grape plantings from 1997 to 2014 

9,000 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 


total 1997-2014 


Dog Ridge 83 210 232 226 339 4% +257 

Harmony 116 129 120 95 101 1% -15 

Kober 5BB 1 52 60 70 105 1% +104 

K51-32 6 9 6 5 7 0% +1 

K51-40 6 9 10 8 15 0% +8 

101-14 1 1 4 10 31 0% +30 

Paulsen 1103 4 114 459 524 1,062 12% +1,058 

Ramsey 1,154 2,238 2,575 2,589 3,060 35% +1,906 

Richter 99,110 0 1 1 19 22 0% +22 

Ruggeri 140 4 64 246 155 312 4% +308 

Schwarzmann 373 909 1,179 1,287 1,549 18% +1,177 

SO4 0 1 1 0 0 0% 0 

Teleki 5A,5C 151 328 373 375 481 5% +330 

Other rootstocks 12 14 18 25 26 0% +14 


% No rootstock 65% 47% 34% 26% 19% 

% on a rootstock 35% 53% 66% 74% 81% 


Teleki 5A,5C 

SO4 

Schwarzmann 

Ruggeri 140 


Ramsey 

Paulsen 1103 

101-14 

K51-40 

K51-32 

Kober 5BB 

Harmony 

Dog Ridge 




7.8 Table grape property numbers and size 1997 to 2014 

Figure 55 provides an estimate of the number of table grape growers and their average property 

size. Property size is the total hectares of grapevines, including dried and wine grape plantings. 

Figure 55: Change in property numbers and size for table grape growers from 1997 to 2014 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Property size 

(table grape area) 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

75 

205 

205 

94 

210 

227 204 

94 111 118 111 86 

1997 2003 2006 2009 2014 

% of 2014 

total 

Change 

1997-2014 

1 to 5 ha 94 111 118 111 86 19% -8 

5 to 10 ha 205 227 204 151 103 23% -102 

10 to 20 ha 205 210 174 146 120 27% -85 

20 to 40 ha 75 94 86 69 94 21% +19 

40 to 100 ha 8 12 18 20 28 6% +20 

100 to 500 ha 3 13 13 14 10 2% +9 

Total properties 590 667 615 513 443 100% -147 


86 

174 

69 

146 

151 

94 

120 

103 

100 to 500 ha 

50 to 100 ha 

20 to 50 ha 

10 to 20 ha 

5 to 10 ha 

1 to 5 ha 

110 of the 443 table grape properties also produced wine and/or dried grapes in 2014. 

Production across the 10,275 hectares of grapevines comprised 220 hectares dried, 1,300 

hectares wine grapes and 8,755 hectares table grapes. 

30% of table grape properties are over 20 hectares and grow 73% of grape plantings (Figure 56). 

Figure 56: Table grape properties in 2014 



1 to 5 ha 86 19% 240 2% 

5 to 10 ha 103 23% 775 8% 

10 to 20 ha 120 27% 1,725 17% 

20 to 40 ha 94 21% 2,935 29% 

40 to 100 ha 28 6% 1,925 19% 

100 to 500 ha 12 3% 2,675 26% 

2014 total 443 100% 10,275 100% 


8. Bibliography 

Agriculture Victoria. (1997). Murray Valley Wine Grape Industry Advisory Council Winegrape Utilisation 

Survey 1997. Department of natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture Victoria. 

Department of Natural Resources and Environment. 

Ausmarket Consultants. (2003). Melbourne Monhtly Grape Prices collated by Fresh Port. Sydney: 

Ausmarket Consultants. 

Ausmarket Consultants. (2014). Melbourne Monthly Grape Prices 1997, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2014 highlow-average-best 

from informaton collected by Fresh State. Sydney: Ausmarket Consulting. 

Ausmarket Consultants. (2014). Sydney Monthly Grapes 1997, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2014 high-lowaverage-best 

price reports compiled from Sydney Market Reporting Service. Sydney: Ausmarket 

Consultants. 

Department of Primary Industries. (2003). Australian Regional Winegrape Crush Survey - Victoria / NSW 

Murray Valley. Department of Prinary Industries. 

Department of Primary Industries. (2006). Australian Regional Wine Grape Crush Survey Murray 

Darling, Swan Hill. Vicitorian Government. 

Department of Primary Industries. (2009). Winegrape Crush Survey Murray Darling / Swan Hill. 

Department of Prinary Industries. Victorian Government. 

Hickey, T., & Hengsen, K. (2014). Wine Grape Crush Report Murray Darling/Swan Hill. Mildura: Murray 

Valley Wine Grape Industry Advisory Committee. 

Martin, S. R., Dunn, G. M., & Krstic, M. P. (2007). Regulating Yield to Improve Wine Quality and Reduce 

Industry Costs. Final Report to Grape and Wie Research and Development Corporation. Project 

DNR 03/02. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. Grape and Wine Research and 

Development Corporation. 

Retallack, M. (2010). Updating vineyard costs of production data for the Murray Valley Wine Region. 

Mildura: Murray Valley Wine Growers Inc. 

Retallack, M. (2012). Economic Benchmarking for the Murray Valley Wine Region seasons 2010/11. 

Mildura: Murray Valley Winegrowers Inc. 

Retallack, M. (2012). Murray Valley and Riverina Water Use Efficiency Study 2011/12. Murray Valley 

Winegrowers Inc and Riverina Winegrapes Marketing Board. 

Sydney Market Reporting Service. (2003). Sydney Monthly Grape Prices . Sydney: Ausmarket 

Consulting. 

Sydney Market Reporting Service. (2006). Sydney Monthly Grape Prices. Sydney: Ausmarket Consulting. 

Sydney Market Reporting Service. (2009). Sydney Monthly Grape Prices. Sydney: Ausmarket Consulting. 

WGGA. (2008). Regional Benchmarking Report prepared as part of the 'Capacity Building for Australian 

Wine Grape Growers' project. Adelaide: prepared for Wine Grape Growers Australia by 

Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services.

Grape Industry Analysis for Investment and Redevelopment

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