Hello,
In the last 6 months I have travelled extensively around Australia and I have seen a huge variation in crop loading. As usual the variation is mainly due to weather patterns and some areas of consistent bi-annual variation.

Western Australia had reasonably good crop loads on average but many were some were having problems keeping fruit on the tree due to wind conditions in their areas. On average they were having a fair to good year.
South Australia including myself are having a very good year. Crop loads in most cases are up to double last year. There are a few growers with very low crop levels mainly due to a very heavy crop last season. Bi Annual effects seem to be more common in cooler high rainfall areas this year. Lasts years dry season meant that only hills regions had sufficient water to have good crops, unless the groves were monitoring soil moisture levels. I am dry grown so the weather has induced massive variations in crop loads from last season to this season. Negligable last season the extreme this season.

Victoria and Southern NSW appear to be having an average season. In many cases, quite good. Feedback from growers on biannual growth was not easy to come by as many groves are still young and the biannual effect is not easily detetced. Many groves of victoria are just reaching viable production volumes as the trees near maturity.
regional NSW and Queensland appear to have had the worst season out of all the states. Dry weather, water restrictions and then fruit rots have appeared to have an effect on most growers. I have had feedback from some well organised and managed groves where production has still been good. Table varieties seem to be performing well.

I have not visited Tasmania this season so I have no news.

I guess we'll see the truth of the fruit volumes with market trends as more oil becomes available. Currently whispers of oil prices appear to be good. Shortfalls in some areas have produced a little more buyer demand. Prices I have heard of range from $5 AU to $12 AU per litre. The best prices are achieved by growers value adding their own products.

Anyone have anything to add in their areas??

__________________
Russell March
B.Ag.Sc. Agronomist
Pellenc Australia