Blueberry Industry Development

Australian Blueberry Industry Role of the National Blueberry Industry Development Officer Australian Blueberry Growers' Association (ABGA) Blueberry Training Current Best Management Practices for Blueberry growers in Northern NSW (external link)

Strategic Plan 2005-2009 - Part 1 (PDF 1.5Mb) Strategic Plan 2005-2009 - Part 2 (PDF 1.5Mb) Industry Survey (PDF 1.1Mb) Dry Season Information: Maintaining your Blueberry Orchard (PDF 45Kb) Estimate of Establishment Cost for Blueberries (PDF 14Kb) Blueberry production In Southern Australia (PDF 240Kb)

Some of these documents are attached as PDFs, to view them you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).

Australian Blueberry Industry The Australian Blueberry industry is a rapidly expanding industry. Blueberries were first grown commercially, in Victoria, in 1974. Plantings began a decade later on the north coast of New South Wales. Production continues to increase in all states of Australia. In 2003/04 Australia produced an estimated 2400 tonnes of blueberries, with a farmgate value of $A24 million. Approximatetly 50% of blueberries are sold as fresh market fruit into the Australian domestic market, 30% is exported to Asia and Europe, while the remaining 20% of fruit is processed, principally as frozen product. Due to the geographic spread of the industry in Australia, fresh blueberries are available for most of the year, with most production from October to March inclusive. Demand for blueberries has been enhanced by wide promotion of the health benefits of consuming blueberries. National Blueberry Industry Development Project The aim of the Industry Development Project is to ensure that the Australian Blueberry industry is profitable and environmentally sustainable. The Blueberry Industry Development Officer role is part-time and is funded for one day per week. The Blueberry growers association and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries fund the role. The main outcomes of the project are: The provision of clear future directions and action plans to address industry priorities The production of a survey which documents the current status of the industry and identifies opportunities for industry development Improved communication with cohesiveness within the Australian blueberry industry The Australian Blueberry Industry Strategic plan is current for the years 2005-2009. It is attached below as a PDF document in two parts. To view the PDFs you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link). Strategic Plan 2005-2009 - Part 1 (PDF 1.5Mb) Strategic Plan 2005-2009 - Part 2 (PDF 1.5Mb)

Blueberry Smoothie Annual Blueberry Field Day

The Blueberry Industry Survey (PDF 1.1Mb) was designed to obtain current production and marketing information for the Australian blueberry industry. This document is attached as a PDF, to view it you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).


To make contact with the Blueberry Industry Development Officer please contact Cathy Mansfield cathy.mansfield@dpi.vic.gov.au

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Australian Blueberry Growers' Association (ABGA) The peak industry body for blueberry growers in Australia is the Australian Blueberry Growers' Association (ABGA). With approximately 150 members from all states except the Northern Territory, most blueberry growers are members of the ABGA. ABGA members produce at least 95% of the Australian blueberry crop. The Australian Blueberry Growers' Association is the representative association of blueberry growers, formed to consolidate and progress the blueberry industry in Australia. Its aim is to implement uniformity and consistency in all aspects of blueberry production and marketing, be that quality, varieties, promotion or pest and disease management. Australian Blueberry Growers' Association (external link) website has information on variety selection, supplier information, how to become a member and much more. Blueberry Training

Ripe Blueberries

Blueberry Establishment and Maintenance (external link) Course is run by the Northern Melbourne Instiute of TAFE (NMIT) in association with the Australian Blueberry Growers' Association (ABGA). The program is delivered on-line and on-site at the workplace and will enable participants to qualify for Certificate 111 in Horticulture (Production).