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<pre>Brian

Further to my last posting to you may I correct you on pressing charges.
The going rate is $120/tonne or, when the amount is less than 1 tonne,
15cents/kg. Some processors charge more because of inefficient or
inadequate machinery in their possession (myself included this year) but
with the establishment of major or semi-major transitional plant I would
expect the first figures to be maintained.

My other statements seem to hold up to your comments. I would add that if,
by 2006, local production matches consumption you can bet that the Italian,
Spanish and Greek industries will not willingly relenquish their market
place. Nor will they welcome us to their home ground.

Our most significant opportunity will be by producing a superb product as a
matter of course! In our district the majority of plantings have been good
certified stock (the 1st most critical point). In time we will see the
establishment of an industry utilising the most modern harvesting/processing
equipment. The really big question left will be the marketing of the
product at competitive prices. Notwithstanding your gloom at the prices to
be paid to the grower I believe it can be done.

Some of the really big plantations (read investment opportunities) will not
survive their present structures or, if they do, will not provide the
claimed returns to those investors. I believe the only way forward is the
directly link the grower to the value adding chain either by way of a co-op
(Hunter Valley) or by investment in private or public processing and
marketing companies.

Failure to achieve this will leave many growers in the position you lament.
Especially those smaller growers (<5000 trees) of which there are thousands.

It may very well be that there is need to establish an Australia wide
processing/marketing/distribution board although this, of course, is fraught
with it's own problems. Certainly the Oz experience with Wool Boards, Wheat
Boards etc leaves a lot to be desired and with privatisation being the
flavour of the month it may be hard to achieve.

At a minimum however, there does seem to be a need for a national approach
to matters concerning standards which the national Association seems to be
addressing but is this enough?

One last point. You mention the landed price of olive oil being about
$A5/litre which is true enough. But of what standard is this oil? From my
understanding of the pricing structure in Italy the farmgate price for extra
virgin olive oil is $A13/litre. In my experience of blind tastings even the
novice can taste (if that is really the word I am looking for) a supermarket
oil and identify it a being somewhat different from a real extra virgin
olive oil that hasn't been tampered with in any manner. My oil this year is
unfiltered, fruity, has a delightful bouquet and a tempting pepper
aftertaste. You dont find that on a supermarket shelf!

Regards

Peter
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