This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

Agriculture in general and tree fruit production in particular were headed down a very dangerous path that urgently needed to change. Fruit production had an income every 12 months and in some cases due to adverse conditions every 24 months. This made fruit production the “poor cousin” of economic activity as other industrial activities had healthier cash flows. In addition, industrial products could be diversified anywhere in the world, whilst fruit production markets were concentrated in USA, Europe and Far East. The produce on offer was concentrated in these centers and therefore prices achieved would reduce as supply increased.

Confronted with this situation, the production costs, quantity exported and yields were going to be the determining factor in the survival of fruit production. Costs were going to increased as materials, energy and labor increases. These were increased to a point that made this activity collapse unless the industry changed the production technology that was being used at the time. This situation was possible to overcome as scientific research advanced and the application of this technology would allow the survival of fruit production.