National Horticultural Research Network - Horticulture Industry ...

National Horticultural Research Network
Vegetable Sector RD&E Framework September 2010
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2.1.5.2 Industry Outlook and Drivers - Sweet corn, Asparagus, Beans and Peas
Production is in decline for all these crops, with reduced local processing due to strong competition
from lower cost imported processed products. Despite this, processing production for sweet corn,
beans and peas, and export of asparagus, dominate the figures.
Sweet corn: The outlook as a fresh vegetable is good due to consumer interest in phyto-nutrients and
the potential for export by overcoming pest problems (NIR technology exists for detection of
Heliocoverpa in silks) but would be further improved by more favourable exchange rates (the AUD at
USD 0.70). The outlook as a processed vegetable is poor. Imports of frozen product doubled in 2008
to $27 million. In common with most vegetable industries, profitability and the need for reduced costs
of production are overarching issues for sweet corn to maintain international competitiveness.
Opportunities include variety improvement (more than one cob/plant,) to increase yields and to
improve competitiveness against imports. There are also opportunities for product development with
white and bi-colour corn appropriately marketed.
Asparagus. Emphasis is shifting from export to domestic markets because of the reduced water
availability in northern Victoria. Future expansion will depend upon a return to non-drought
conditions and issues remain with weed, pest and disease control and with post harvest quality.
Potential exists for mechanical harvesting to reduce labour costs. Export market opportunities exist
under favourable Australian dollar exchange rate conditions and domestic consumer demand is
increasing. The asparagus industry has no compulsory national levy arrangements and relies on
voluntary contributions from industry.
Peas and Beans - Processing. Production for Tasmanian processing dominates the national figures.
For processing, the main issue has been competition from low cost overseas imports supported by a
high AUD$.
Peas and Beans - Fresh. ABS commentary notes consolidation has occurred in supply chains in an
attempt to access large customers. These efficiencies have allowed Qld to maintain production at
about the same level for the last 5 years. Bean production in NSW has more than doubled, possibly
due to development of a processing market niche. In all other states production has dropped.
For these crops to compete against imports, productivity needs to increase significantly. As with other
mature vegetable industries peas and beans need product innovation and productivity increases to be
world competitive.
2.1.6 Potatoes
Table 13: Production data for fresh and processing potatoes.
Crop/year NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas NT Total
Fresh 2007 37,371 115,427 54,843 196,433 44,480 18,372 - 466,972
(t)
Processing
2007 (t)
83,393 180,291 41,210 125,987 34,381 266,026 - 730,288
2.1.6.1 Production and Locations - Fresh and Processing Potatoes
Table 13 shows the production by State of fresh and processing potatoes for 2002 and 2007. Over the
period total production (fresh plus processing) has remained static at around 1.2m tonnes, with a farm
gate value in 2006/2007 at $514 million. Fresh potatoes accounts for approximately 40% of the
industry.
Fresh: The major producer is SA (42%) followed by Vic (25%).
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