Challenging weather, labour issues and low stock have hit Australian citrus growers for the past few seasons, but this year could turn things around and break the industry export record.
In Moora, 170 kilometres north-east of Perth, the tough conditions of recent seasons have taught growers important lessons.
Moora Citrus, the largest citrus producer in Western Australia, expects about 10,000 tonnes to be picked in its three Mid West orchards.
Chief executive officer Shane Kay said 2024 had been a particularly light year.
“We average around 8,000 tonnes per year and we were below that,” Mr Kay said.
Weather conditions just right
Mr Kay grows lemons, mandarins and grapefruit, but it is his oranges he has his eye on now.
“We’re currently experiencing a very warm autumn; we’re looking forward to some cold nights and clear days to help the fruit colour up and mature properly,” Mr Kay said.
Cold weather turns the fruit from green to orange on the tree.
Once picked, packing sheds grade fruit based on blemishes.
Marked fruit will be lower-priced offerings, while first-grade product is sold to retailers locally or exported to markets that pay premiums for high-quality fruit.
Though the colour does not affect the taste or internal makeup of the fruit, Citrus Australia chief executive Nathan Hancock said appearance had a massive influence on the price.
“In Australia in particular, we’ve sort of been coached into believing that fruit mustn’t have any blemishes on the outside,” Mr Hancock said.
Export success
He said production across Australia would be strong in 2025, as would demand from international markets.
Export demand has been strong enough to potentially break the record tonnage out of Australia, set in 2019 at 304,000 tonnes with an export value of $541 million.
Chinese markets took the majority of exported fruit, importing 83,000 tonnes.
Last year, more than 280,000 tonnes of citrus were exported, with a value of $590 million.
Most international markets for citrus are in Asia, with large volumes going to Japan, China and Thailand, as well as the United States, Canada and United Arab Emirates.
“The fruit size is looking good as well,” Mr Hancock said.
“We need fruit to be of a certain size for it to be in that profitable market range because cost of production in Australia is very, very high
Ongoing challenges
One of the biggest costs facing growers is wages.
“Our wage costs have just continued to climb and it’s not really aligned with the returns we get,” Mr Kay said.
“So that’s causing some challenges; we’re trying to find ways of increasing production and improving efficiencies.”
In his Moora orchard, Mr Kay is implementing a three-hectare trial block of protective netting.
It has so far proven successful, helping to decrease wind impact and water use.
“We’re doing a cost-benefit analysis of that right now, because it’s not cheap,” Mr Kay said.
“But there are some really good water savings, which is important.”
