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Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.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?

The AFFCO Well Informed Grower project has provided significant financial advantages over the past three years to apple and pear growers through better information exchange, analysis and communication.

Expanded participation has also produced added benefits, adding to the initial group of over 20 apple grower-packer-marketers, set up in 2004.

In 2006 pear growers and packers established their own information network. A separate group of apple growers across Australia was also established in 2006. Membership of all three groups within the project continues to strengthen.

The aim of the project is to contribute to improved profitability by balancing the power of the market with better information, analysis and communication for apple and pear growers and marketers.

The motivation for the project arose from apple and pear growers, packers and marketers having insufficient knowledge about the market, compared with buyers, to the point where returns were being eroded.

The fundamental driver for the project has been the information needs of growers, so that the project can contribute to grower profitability. Growers around Australia have identified their information needs and priorities, then provided regular feedback on how well the project was meeting those needs.