Major Commodities - Dried Fruits

Traditionally, Australia's dried fruit producers are the world's seventh largest source of dried fruits, producing over 30,000 tonnes per year.

The drought has had a significant effect on dried grape production. As of 2006, the total Australian dried grape production volume equalled 18,481 tonnes. Despite this, Australian dried fruit producers remain a highly-valued player in the international marketplace.

Domestically, it is calculated that each Australian, on average, consumes 2.75 kilograms of dried fruit every year.

Australian dried fruits: fast facts

• Australian dried fruit growers are predominantly dotted along the Murray River in the Sunraysia Region (around Mildura) and Swan Valley Region (around Swan Hill) in VIC and NSW, and the Riverland Region (around Waikerie and Renmark) in SA, with a relatively small group in the Bindoon Region of WA.

Australian Dried Fruit Association, Dried Grape Production Manual, 2005

• The total number of dried grape growers in Australia is 600 - 480 in VIC, 80 in NSW, 20 in WA and 20 in SA.

Horticulture Australia, Dried Grape Quality Centre, 2007.

• 98 percent of Australia’s dried fruit is produced in the Mildura Region of VIC and NSW. Its success is attributable to the dry climate, soil type and irrigation systems in the region.

Mildura Region Economic Profile, June 2010.

• As at 2004-05, Australia produced around 30,000 tonnes of dried fruit per year, with annual
  production valued at $88 million. This made Australia the seventh largest producer of dried fruits.

Australian Dried Fruit Association, Dried Grape Production Manual, 2005 & ABARES, Australian Commodity Statistics, 2004.

• The drought had a significant effect on dried grape production. As of 2006, the total Australian dried grape production volume equalled 18,481 tonnes.

Horticulture Australia, 2007.

• As of 2010-11, total Australian dried fruit exports totalled 1,800 tonnes and was valued at $17 million. This is considerably lower than the value of dried fruit exported in 1996-97 totalling $62 million.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Food Statistics 2004 & ABARES, Australian Commodity Statistics, 2010.

• On average, each Australian eats 2.75kg of dried fruit per year.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Food Statistics 2009-10

For more, view NFF Farm Facts 2012.