Australia could see its berry growers double their production over the next five years with raspberries and blackberries leading the surge, according to a news report in local paper Weekly Times Now.

The report quoted Australian Rubus Grower Association (ARGA) president Phil Rowe as saying more growers have opted for berries as consumer demand for raspberries and blackberries increase.

Australia’s berry industry consists of mostly smaller growers. Nearly two-thirds of the AGRA’s 140 member body are growers with less than one hectare of production. The industry’s largest growers are Berry Exchange, with a 33% share of the country’s raspberry market and YV Fresh Produce, with a 43% share of raspberry and blackberry production.

As a whole, the industry is still small compared to other fruit varieties. AGRA estimates that yearly production is around 800 tons. The fruit is primarily sold as a fresh product locally, while processing for juices, purees and jams ranks second.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com

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