Australian apple and pear growers are set to benefit from a new national benchmarking initiative aimed at improving industry profitability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Funded by Hort Innovation and delivered by Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the project will provide growers with clear, consistent, and accessible data on orchard performance – spanning financial, operational, and productivity metrics. This data will empower growers to identify cost-saving opportunities, make better-informed decisions, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Andrew Francey, General Manager of Industry Service Delivery at Hort Innovation said the initiative would equip growers with the tools they need to make confident, data-driven decisions.

“With robust benchmarking data, businesses can take targeted action to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability. This is about helping growers understand their performance and make informed choices that support their bottom line.”

“The productivity report identified automated data collection as one of the four key drivers of productivity and this project directly facilitates that by giving growers access to consistent, actionable data,” Francey added.

The project builds on more than 15 years of industry data collection and analysis through APAL’s Orchard Business Analysis (OBA) report. It will measure and standardise the cost of production and fruit returns data, giving orchard businesses a clearer picture of their performance and areas for improvement.

APAL Group CEO Philip Turnbull said the project is a timely and practical tool for growers navigating rising input costs and shifting market demands.

“Growers are constantly looking for ways to improve their operations, and this project gives them the insights to do just that. By benchmarking against industry standards, businesses can pinpoint where they’re excelling and where there’s room to improve.”

This project is funded by Hort Innovation, using the Apple and Pear research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.