2004 AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL YEARBOOK 

AUSTRALIAN WALNUT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 

The Australian Walnut Industry Association (AWIA) was formed in 1990, to serve as a national body, to represent and protect the interests of walnut growers and to promote the production, marketing and consumption of Australian walnuts. 

Since its establishment AWIA has been involved in variety assessment, research in soil management, staging seminars, farm walks and technical workshops, developing quality standards and a consultative service (no longer provided by AWIA) and regularly disseminates useful information to growers and other sections of the industry, partly through its Newsletter. AWIA is a member of the Australian Nut Industry Council (ANIC), a national body that aims to promote the Australian nut industry and it liaises with the international Walnut Research Network. 

Currently the Association has over 100 members, with the majority being growers or intending growers. The executive consists of Leigh Titmus, president, Marta Chiba and Norman Wilkinson , vice presidents, Dr John Kenez, secretary, Dennis Ting, treasurer and Marilla James, membership secretary. In addition, the Executive Committee has a further six elected members. 

History of Production. 

The first record of walnuts being grown in Australia was in Hobart, Tasmania, in about 1820. The climate and soils of Tasmania are well suited to walnuts. In Victoria, the early history of walnut growing is associated with gold mining, particularly in the Ovens Valley in the north east. The earliest commercial walnut grove of some 40 hectares was established in the Buckland Valley, about 1870. 

Walnut growing on a scientific basis was introduced to Australia by Henry and Abe Schlapp, in the same area, at Gapsted, in the 1920s. The brothers conducted variety selection trials with local and imported varieties. Eventually a total of 3,000 trees were planted, the majority being the French variety, Franquette, well suited to the area. 

Recent developments 

Since the 1970-s there has been renewed interest in commercial walnut production in Australia. Commercial orchards are being planted in suitable regions in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Western Australia. In Tasmania since the mid 1998 Webster Walnuts have developed a large scale plantation at Swansea. At this stage over 180,000 trees have been planted, with the most advanced trees starting to crop over the last two years. 

While total Australian import, expressed as nut in shell, is about 4,500 tonnes per year, our estimated local production was less than 250 tonnes in 2000. Due to the recent significant developments, one can expect that our production will increase steadily in the mid- to long- term. 

Increased supplies will provide opportunities to develop local and export markets for fresh, high quality nuts and also for processing and developing value added products. 

AWIA Strategic Plan 2002- 2010.

Aims 

To facilitate the development of a strong and profitable walnut industry in Australia and to improve yield and quality.

Objectives 

To select walnut varieties suited to the Australian climate and soils with proven productivity for industry development that is appropriate to market requirements. To promote sound orchard management practices, including the adoption of QMS in walnut production in Australia. To develop an efficient, cost-effective harvesting and processing technology. To facilitate observance of the quality standard of the produce to be marketed. To develop domestic and export markets.

Strategies 

For Walnut Varieties 

In collaboration with growers, survey existing planting stock to identify vigorous, disease-resistant trees that will produce quality walnuts consistent with market requirements. Assess varieties, including new and overseas varieties suited for specific climatic and soil conditions. Implement variety selection through grower trials. Promote research into propagation techniques, including those based on tissue culture. Collect and disseminate information on selection trials. Hold meetings, workshops, etc. on the subject to increase growers' awareness of the walnut varieties suited to specific climatic and soil conditions. Collaborate with the International Walnut Research Network for exchange of research information.

For Orchard Management 

Improve current techniques of orchard management, develop and facilitate research trials and organize the funding of these. The current areas of research priority include blight control, irrigation, fertigation and water management, tree training, canopy and root zone management. Revise and regularly update the AWIA Guide to Establishing a Walnut Orchard in Australia. Revise and promote the use of the AWIA Quality Management Guide for all aspects of walnut production and marketing of Australian walnuts. Liaise with Government, research organizations, nut industry and other bodies to encourage research into walnuts and to collect and distribute relevant information to the AWIA membership.

For Harvesting and Processing 

Hold seminars, training courses and technical workshops to encourage the adoption of quality management in harvesting and processing. Facilitate the development and cooperative use of machinery suitable for the variable size of walnut orchards in Australia, paying particular attention to machinery for cracking. Facilitate observance of the accepted industry standards in packaging and presentation for marketing.

For Product Quality 

Promote the AWIA Trade Mark (consisting of the logo with the approved inscription) for use by members in the marketing of Australian quality walnuts. Actively promote the adoption of AWIA Quality Standards by growers and distributors of Australian walnuts. This would be achieved by disseminating information on the correct harvesting, drying and processing technology at seminars and workshops. Review and promote the standards adopted by the Australian walnut industry.

For Marketing 

Identify and describe domestic and export market opportunities for the benefit of the Australian walnut industry. Develop marketing strategies and techniques for the replacement of imported walnuts and for the exporting of Australian walnuts. Advise members on market opportunities and suitable strategies for market development.

Targets. 

Improved Productivity 

By the year 2010, all new major commercial walnut orchards will be based on varieties that are suitable for Australian conditions and which will produce walnuts that meet market requirements.

Improved Quality 

Promote the use of the AWIA Quality Management Guide in all aspects of production, harvesting and processing of walnuts in Australia.

Increased Profitability 

The Australian walnut industry will be able to compete with overseas producers through the adoption of cost-effective production and processing techniques, the selection of market segments, and the offering of superior quality and value-added products.

Increased Market Share 

Develop strategic marketing for local consumption and export of Australian walnuts. Increase domestic consumption of Australian walnuts. Disseminate information to consumers on the quality of walnuts produced in Australia, the health benefits of walnuts and the use of walnuts in cooking, baking and processed products. Increase consumer awareness by promoting walnuts at agricultural shows, food fairs and harvest festivals. Ensure that the media has ready access to information on walnuts produced in Australia. Achieve import replacement at least in excess of 10% by the year 2010. Facilitate the development of export markets in Europe and other parts of the World.

Association activities in 2003. 

The Australian walnut industry experienced another year of steady growth, measured by an increase in the number of new trees planted, volume of production and investment in expansion of new plantings. The number of trees reported as held by members of our association is in access of 300,000. There are also some large-scale new plantings in the planning stages. AWIA Executive received expression of interest from at least one merchant bank on raising equity in new walnut plantings.

Since the early 1990s the Association obtained limited amount of Government funds for research in walnut production, writing and production of publications and the setting up of a consultancy service, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. However, in 2003 the Association was advised by the funding bodies that our industry is no longer eligible for R & D funding without an industry contribution. The Executive Committee formed a Walnut Industry Levy Subcommittee to review AFFA Guidelines and principles, inform membership on available options and draft the set of rules on the basis for the levy, method and cost of levy collection and process of decision making in selecting and funding research projects. The proposed Walnut Industry Voluntary Levy Fund Rules were discussed at the Association's Annual General Meeting in 2003 and adopted, to be implemented from the start of the 2004/05 financial year.

The AWIA Annual Walnut Seminar and Farm Walk was held at DPI Tatura Centre on the first weekend in July. The seminar was attended by 49 persons, including interstate members and visitors who ended up joining the Association. The seminar program was well received and generated lot of discussion. The open forum on industry issues led to the formation of a Taskforce on the feasibility and benefits of forming a walnut cooperative . During the visit of a developing plantation there was a demonstration of pruning. The 2004 AWIA Walnut Seminar and Farm Walk is planned to be held in early March, in South Australia.

The Quarterly meetings of the Committee addressed a range of issues, including matters from the Australian Nut Industry Council (ANIC), such as water policy pricing models and their likely effect on nut industries, the duopoly of supermarket power on horticulture, government policy on casual labour, and "The Nuts for Life Program " designed to increase nut consumption through promotion of the beneficial health effect of nuts, to dieticians and the medical profession. ANIC works closely with Horticulture Australia Limited on horticulture policy issues, research and development.

A revised AWIA homepage was prepared for inclusion in the ANIC website and new promotional material for AWIA membership drive. Planning an AWIA website also commenced.

Challenges for the immediate future. 

The immediate problems that slow down new commercial ventures are the lack of adequate supply of new planting material, the availability of capital for long term investments, such as walnut production and the relatively immature structure of our industry. - Further, it is widely recognized that quality is the key to successful import replacement and staying competitive in securing export markets for Australian walnuts. Adopting best practice in scientific orchard management is an essential requirement to be able to compete with overseas walnuts on quality and price.

As a follow-up of interest shown by our membership, the executive have designed the syllabus of a training course for walnut growers and the development of a certificate course was discussed with officers at the Tatura Research Centre.. The Centre is an accredited educational institution, well equipped to offer a training course for groups with specific interests.

ANIC membership charge will be increased in 2004, for the first time since ANIC's inception. In future, ANIC conferences will be focused on nut industry issues and member nut industries are expected to hold conferences which are more specific to their respective industries.

Research on profitably of growing walnuts in the Australian environment, effective dissemination of research results, training our growers in improved methods of production and extension work must remain primary goals of our Association.

Why Australian Walnuts are better:

  Free from Pesticides

  Free from chemical treatments

  100%  sold in the year of harvest

  They taste better

Australian Walnut Industry Association: Working to benefit both industry and consumers

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