Completed project
Low dose methyl bromide against fruit flies to improve market access for summerfruit (SF12016)
Publication date: July 26, 2016
Delivery Partner: The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
A new market access protocol was negotiated with China based on the research conducted in this project. Australian nectarines now have access to China using low-dose methyl bromide fumigation, allowing trade using both air-freight and sea-freight.
Australian nectarines and peaches are hosts of Queensland fruit fly and so must undergo a disinfestation treatment before they can be exported to countries with quarantine barriers against this pest.
This was the first international protocol developed using lower concentrations of fumigant applied for longer treatment times to ensure insect control without compromising fruit quality.
Prior to the development of this low-dose methyl bromide fumigation, fruit required cold treatment disinfestation, generally during transit on sea-freight, a protocol that was unsuitable for some stonefruit.
Air-freight capabilities will allow Australian growers to effectively target market opportunities in Asia, especially during peak demand.
The final report for this project is confidential. Please email communications@horticulture.com.au to request access.
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Summerfruit Fund
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
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