CHESTNUTS AUSTRALIA INC ( CAI )
are several large-scale commercial plantings , and the average size of new orchards is increasing . The chestnut industry has always been aware of the possible biosecurity issues it faced , the main threats being Chestnut blight , Chestnut weevil and Chestnut gall wasp . The depth of knowledge and preparedness was made very evident in 2010 when there was an outbreak of Chestnut blight . This outbreak was reported swiftly due to grower knowledge and biosecurity training . Chestnuts Australia , in conjunction with VicDEPI , were able to inform all growers of the immediate measures that were needed to heighten the level of biosecurity . An Industry Development Officer was appointed in January 2014 to further improve biosecurity vigilance .
Current production
• Area under production is about 1,000 ha .
• Production is about 1,500 t a year of fresh chestnuts .
Industry potential Chestnut production is expected to increase to 2,000 t by 2020 as young orchards come into production . New varieties and improved orchard management techniques have reduced time to bearing and resulted in increased nut yield , nut size and ease of peeling .
Most chestnuts are handpicked except in many large orchards , which are fully mechanised as a result of new harvesting machinery being developed .
Growers are planting and reworking older trees to newer and more consumer-friendly varieties .
Markets : present and future Chestnuts are highly valued in Europe , the USA , Japan , China and Korea .
Most growers sell the bulk of their crop through the fresh wholesale markets in each state .
Small quantities of fresh and frozen peeled chestnuts are exported to Japan and Singapore .
The Australian industry produces products such as frozen peeled whole chestnuts , chestnut meal , flour and puree . These value-added products are now being successfully marketed locally and overseas and
138 September 2014