News From the board

Industry's sounding board

Some of the ATGA's new and returning board members speak about their role on the board, last season's challenges, and what they're looking forward to as harvest ramps up in Sunraysia.

Top: Jeremey Boyd, Middle: Robert Nugan, Below: Joe Garreffa, Opposite page: Adrian Cordoma

Jeremey Boyd ATGA Chair

How long have you been on the ATGA board / chair? It’s a stab in the dark, but I think it’s about six years on the board, and two as chair.

Why did you join the board? I joined the board to have more of an insight into how industry works, and hopefully to contribute to industry. I wanted to join with peers to collaborate and help move industry forward. I’ve been growing table grapes now for a fair while and hope that some of that knowledge is helpful. What was/were the biggest challenge/s you faced in 2021/ last season? Labour and markets, obviously, and the other one for me was mealybug. The amount of money I’m spending on chemicals – if I could spend that on labour I’d have enough to pick my grapes. How (if you did) did you manage and mitigate that challenge? With mealybug, we used the chemicals available to us, we took leaves from around bunches. Labour – at the end of the day, it’s a supply and demand thing. We tried to pay a more attractive rate. Markets – I prayed, day and night. What else can you do? That’s at a governmental level, not a board level.

What's something you're looking forward to this season? I’m looking forward to the season getting underway – to somewhat of a normal season, if that’s possible? A season where we put all our produce in a box and get it to market. That would be a positive this year in itself.

Dominic Sergi Victorian delegate

How long have you been on the ATGA board? Since 2021

Why did you join the board? To try and help the industry and get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes with the ATGA and learn from people in the process.

What was/were the biggest challenge/s you faced in 2021/ last season? Worker numbers in peak season was a challenge but we limped over the line at the end of the season. Shipping and wharf congestion made it difficult to guarantee that your fruit was getting to the customer in good condition also. Hopefully this year it will run a little smoother – and obviously Covid was still causing issues for everyone with lockdowns and border closures, etc.

How (if you did) did you manage and mitigate that challenge? It was just riding the waves as new problems occurred. A lot is out of our control once the fruit leaves the shed so you just have to do the best you can to mitigate any potential issues.

What’s something you’re looking forward to this season? I would hope a smoother supply chain into other countries, but we won’t know how it will all go until there is some volume leaving the country.

Robert Nugan Victorian delegate

How long have you been on the ATGA board? I was appointed in December 2021.

Why did you join the board? To assist and facilitate progress on key industry matters that will help secure the future of the table grape sector. What was/were the biggest challenge/s you faced in 2021/ last season?

- Labour shortages and compliance - Australia's complex political relationship with China and

Covid made export markets more challenging How (if you did) did you manage and mitigate that challenge? Labour challenges: through good planning and contractor cooperation. Fresh Produce Group (FPG) is fortunate to have a highly skilled human resources department. Export challenges: just blind faith, and hard work to mitigate our challenges, along with hard work from our dedicated Asian importers; however, we didn't come out of it unscathed.

What's something you're looking forward to this season?

- In general, an improvement in the quality of our grapes. - An Asian marketplace that is coming to terms with the new

Covid world.

- Continued tiering of the grape category to make room for both old and new varieties.

Is there anything you're excited about – technology, new varieties, etc. I am excited to see that there is evidence that we can grow some more varieties (new genetics) following successful trials. I am also excited that FPG has been appointed as a marketer of SUN WORLD® grapes on the east coast.

Joe Garreffa New South Wales delegate

How long have you ben on the ATGA board? I have been on the board of the ATGA for nine years. Why did you join the board? I joined the board because I feel passionate about the industry and try to make a contribution to improve the industry. What was/were the biggest challenge/s you faced in 2021/last season? The biggest challenges that we faced in 2021 were labour, freight logistics and market stability. The labour issue was definitely a big issue. Labour costs increased by up to 30 per cent. How (if you did) did you manage and mitigate that challenge? I looked to various markets to replace those that had gone south.

What's something you're looking forward to this season? I am looking forward to the 2022 season and hoping it will be more profitable and more sustainable.

Anthony Cirillo New South Wales delegate

How long have you been on the ATGA board? Three months.

Why did you join the board? I joined the board to help in any way I can.

What was/were the biggest challenge/s you faced in 2021/ last season? Shipping and labour were the biggest issues for me in 2021.

How (if you did) did you manage and mitigate that challenge? I have tried to spread our harvest and shipping over a longer period of time.

What’s something you’re looking forward to this season? I'm looking forward to any new export opportunities our industry has to offer.

Adrian Cordoma Victorian delegate

How long have you been on the ATGA board? Three years.

Why did you join the board? To help give the younger growers a voice and help to provide as much knowledge as possible to maintain a better industry for the future.

What was/were the biggest challenge/s you faced in 2021/ last season? Not enough skilled labour to harvest during crucial timing matched with poor growing conditions.

How (if you did) did you manage and mitigate that challenge? Strict quality control during harvest and higher attention to detail on watering during critical periods.

What’s something you’re looking forward to this season? Eating my AutumnCrisp when it’s ready. Hands down best-flavoured grape.

Is there anything you’re excited about – technology, new varieties, etc.?

Hopefully the borders will open up to give us some more labour.