Results from strawberry industry trials in Albany encouraging

21/12/98

Expansion of Western Australia's $11 million strawberry industry was likely following encouraging results from trials in Albany, Primary Industry Minister Monty House said today.

Mr House said that a $200,000 investment had been made by the Coalition Government to promote sustainability and growth in the strawberry industry.

In addition, the development of an integrated management package for the production and marketing of strawberries would be implemented.

The package involved biological control of pests, disease control, sustainable nutrition, irrigation and new varieties and selections from both Australia and overseas.

"The strawberry industry has been one of the State's strongest export performers, with export values growing by 33 per cent in 97-98 and 82 per cent over the past five years," Mr House said.

"Increased investment in the industry will secure further growth."

Mr House said variety trials in Albany and Wanneroo so far had been encouraging, with many new varieties being favourably received by consumers in trial evaluations.

"The aim of the work at Albany is to identify Australian bred varieties suitable for spring-to-autumn production in WA, and to find suitable alternatives to the overseas bred variety currently grown," he said.

"The Albany trials have also included superior strawberry varieties bred in the US, Israel and Spain. New varieties will expand the range of strawberries available for both growers and consumers and enable WA to meet international demand for superior strawberries."

Mr House said it was already likely that two additional varieties would be available to consumers next year following successful trials undertaken in Wanneroo. The trials were aimed at early production.

In addition, research conducted so far had shown that bio-control of mites, using a technique pioneered by collaborating researchers in Queensland, looked promising for the WA environment.

"Research and trial results have also shown that significant water and fertiliser savings will be possible for the industry," the Minister said.

Media contact: Julie Cole (08) 9481 2044