Challenges and opportunities for the Australian persimmon industry

The Australian persimmon industry needs to continue producing high quality fruit to meet and sustain consumer demand in domestic and export markets. The main persimmon growing regions in Australia stretch from the northern tropics of Queensland to southern sub-tropics in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. The total production of Australian persimmons was 2,772 t in 2020 and the production value was $11.7 M. The persimmon industry is expanding rapidly; more growers are planting persimmon trees due to their high returns in local and overseas markets. National persimmon production is expected to increase considerably in the next few years. Challenges for the Australian persimmon industry include low volumes and reliance on only two cultivars (‘Jiro’ and ‘Fuyu’) with a narrow production window. These challenges are being investigated in a persimmon industry-funded project delivered by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). This work will focus on improving nursery tree production techniques, increasing productivity and widening the production and marketing window by introducing early and late cultivars. Dwarfing rootstocks will be introduced to control vigour in high density orchards and to increase fruit production. NSW DPI is collaborating with scientists from the major persimmon producing countries including Spain, Japan, South Korea and China as well as with domestic experts. This presentation will highlight the work in progress.