New potential export markets identified for Manjimup

14/10/02
Research by the Department of Agriculture has identified 15 new potential crops that could be grown in the horticulture belt around Manjimup.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance said the Department initially identified about 200 potential crops and then shortlisted 60 crops for desktop evaluation.
Researchers assessed any major constraints, which reduced the number of options further and 15 crops have now been earmarked for further in-depth investigation.
"Nut crops are one of these and walnut appears to offer the most immediate opportunity for the Manjimup area," Mr Chance said.
"Walnuts worth $10million are imported annually which offers the potential for import substitution for approximately 1,200ha of trees," he said.
The research, which started last year, was prompted by the closure of the Simplot processing plant in Manjimup. The Department facilitated the research to identify new opportunities for the region and provided in-kind support.
A local growers' group, 'New Opportunities for Australian Horticulture (NOAH)', funded the work through a voluntary contribution, which was also supported by the national industry body Horticulture Australia.
Mr Chance said because Manjimup had only limited domestic market opportunities available to successfully grow a diversified industry, researchers focussed on export potential.
"Geographically, WA is ideally located to serve large and growing markets in South East Asia and the Middle East," he said.
"Opportunities also exist to export to the European Union, if post-harvest handling can be developed to enable long distance sea transport."
As part of the research process, Basil Baldwin from the University of Sydney recently visited Manjimup to assess the suitability of the area for hazelnut production. A research proposal is expected to be developed to fully assess this capability.
"Modern production techniques based on high yielding varieties have changed walnut production from an extensive to intensive system," Mr Chance said.

"Nut crops offer advantages over other perennial crops in the degree to which their production can be mechanised. The hard shell of the fruit allows mechanical harvesting and bulk handling of product with minimal effects on quality.
"In the high rainfall areas of the South-West, these crops can grow with targeted irrigation, or perhaps without irrigation."
A study tour to the Victorian and Tasmanian industries will be considered by a growers' steering committee, as part of the final stage of the project. Growers have already expressed interest in participating in such a tour.
Mr Chance said the research process had been an excellent example of co-operation among major stakeholders, resulting in an innovative approach to solving difficulties together.
"Continued co-operation of this type will be even more important in developing some of these ideas to commercial reality," he said.
Minister's office: 9213 6700