New international market access for NSW blueberries

20 Jan 2017

Blueberries are being analysed

NSW and Australian blueberries are destined for new international markets following recent changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to allow a new quarantine treatment of blueberries and raspberries to overcome export trade barriers.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director of Horticulture Dr Shane Hetherington said NSW DPI initiated and completed postharvest disinfestation research at the Centre of Excellence for Market Access at Ourimbah to underpin this change.

“The presence of quarantine pests such as Queensland fruit fly requires fruit to be treated or certified before accessing a number of important markets nationally and internationally.

“Low-dose irradiation treatment effectively eradicates Queensland fruit fly without affecting fruit quality or nutritional value. It is a safe proven technology which allows treated produce to access new export markets, like Indonesia, where the treatment is accepted,” Dr Hetherington said.

“Results from the research demonstrated that postharvest disinfestation did not affect fruit quality or nutritional content of Australian blueberries and raspberries.

“These results have been accepted and published in international scientific journals and helped with the approval of this treatment.”

Northern NSW is the blueberry capital of Australia. Blueberries are an important and growing horticultural industry in NSW which continues to expand with around 6,900 tonnes grown each year, valued at around $140 million.

The Australian Blueberry Growers Association estimates that the value of the industry will be $200 million in 2016-17.

Dr Hetherington said to expand into new market access is a key priority for the future profitability of the NSW and Australian blueberry industry.

“This treatment is welcomed by industry as it is a much quicker process for fresh, perishable produce compared to the current cold treatment where the produce is required to be stored at 2ºC for 14 days prior to export,” Dr Hetherington said.”

This initiative was co-funded by NSW DPI in partnership with Australian Blueberry Growers Association, Raspberries and Blackberries Australia and Horticulture Innovation Australia. The research was undertaken in collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

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Media contact: Anne Brook (02) 6763 1163 or 0477 358 305