Banana industry stock take canvasses New South Wales' views

 

 

 

31 January 2008

 

 

The Australian banana industry’s Taking Stock and Setting Directions process is canvassing the views of growers and other industry participants in New South Wales next week as part of an information-gathering exercise to set future directions for the industry.

 

Australian Banana Growers’ Council president and Coffs Harbour grower Nicky Singh said the industry peak body had initiated the national review as a means of ensuring a sustainable, profitable and resilient future for Australia’s largest fruit industry.

 

Industry analyst Michael Clarke, from AgEconPlus, will be in New South Wales banana regions next week to talk with growers, natural resource managers, agents, retailers, transporters, government agencies, industry organisations and researchers interested in contributing to the process.

 

Mr Clarke will be in Nambucca on 5 February, Coffs Harbour on 6 February and in the Wollongbar/Lismore/Murwillumbah region on 7 February.

 

“Consultations were held in north Queensland late last year, are being held in New South Wales growing regions next week and will be held in sub-tropical Queensland as well as growing areas in Western Australia and the Northern Territory in coming months,” Mr Singh said.

 

The stock take process will cover:

 

     • An analysis of the Australian banana industry’s current situation and performance.
     • Identification of opportunities and threats which are likely to confront the Australian 
       banana industry during the next 5-10 years.
     • Determination of the industry’s capacity to respond to challenges and take advantage
       of opportunities.
     • Prioritisation of key areas in which the Australian banana industry can improve.
     • Development of response strategies for the industry’s highest priorities.

Copies of an initial discussion paper – which scopes production characteristics, research and development and use of technology, marketing and markets, supply chains, leadership and industry culture, and government policy – are available from ABGC on 07 3278 4786 or from analyst Michael Clarke on Clarke@AgEconPlus.com.au.

Mr Singh said the review process was made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government after the industry entered a rebuilding period since Cyclone Larry destroyed many north Queensland plantations in March 2006.

“Growing bananas across a diverse geographic area is clearly important to ensure long-term supplies of fruit, so I encourage New South Wales growers to be part of the process that can future-proof our industry and help reshape its long-term future directions for the benefit of producers, supply chain businesses, and ultimately consumers.”

 

 

For comment contact Nicky Singh on 0402 214 800 or Tony Heidrich on 0427 987 499 

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