What was it all about?

This project supported a study tour to California in mid-July 2014 to investigate all aspects of the local dried plum industry. Because of the similarities in production systems, the US prune industry can offer valuable information to Australian growers on new varieties, production practices, irrigation systems and research and development findings. Prune growers and a consultant took part.

The tour involved visits and meetings with some of the major players in the California dried plum industry, including producers, dried plum processors and marketers, researchers, including University of California Davis plant breeders, and grower representatives including the Californian Dried Plum Board.

Networking with prune industries in other countries is an important part of a strategy to develop direct access to the latest market and technical information, required to reinvigorate the industry.

All members who participated and the industry stakeholders who read the reports, have gained a better understanding of the US dried plum industry and reinvigorated the industry in Australia.

ACT NOW

Read one of the two articles about the study tour on page 10 of the July-September 2014 edition of The Vine magazine.

Read the second article on page 22 of the October-December 2014 edition.