DFA CHAIR & CEO
Changing of the guard News from our Chair This year has been a real wake up call for many growers and the processors, bringing back memories of wetter years. There is still a lot of dried fruit in sheds, and both processors are saying they will be dehydrating for weeks. Dehydrators have been in short supply and great demand and can be heard running late into the night when the temperature is reasonable.
these issues and have a plan for a
in providing a solution to labour
better way to deal with these problems
shortages and secondly in increasing
in years like 2022.
productive capacity.
News from our CEO “The times they are a changin’” – so goes the song by Bob Dylan, and that’s certainly true for Dried Fruits Australia. In this, my last column as CEO, I’d like to introduce incoming CEO Thomas Cheung and offer my congratulations
The DFA office is also seeing some transitions. Industry development officer Stuart Putland is moving on to other roles and will be very much missed by the dried grape industry. Stuart’s energy and facilitation skills have encouraged new opportunities, with growers learning from each other on farm, in sheds and at the office. Sharing ideas and working collaboratively is extremely important
Brown fruit will make up a high
and a hearty welcome. Thomas has
percentage of the fruit delivered this
a lengthy career and comprehensive
year. While total tonnages for 2022
experience in the dried fruit and nut
were not known at the time of writing,
industries and will bring a wide range
estimates were around 15,000 tonnes.
of skills to DFA.
I’d like to thank Mark, the board and all
Pruning is well underway and canes
Transition is important for all
are looking good. I have been hearing
industries. Over the past five-and-a-
for their support and encouragement.
labour is still a major issue. DFA and
half years, the dried grape industry has
some growers are looking at different
seen a critical transition in researching
ways to cut costs. There is some great
and implementing the mechanisation
work being done and I urge growers to
of winter pruning.
keep an eye on Currant News to find out about any workshops.
Alongside this work, DFA has been fortunate to receive funds from the
We must remember that this is the
Department of Agriculture, through
first time in many years that numerous
the Murray-Darling Basin Economic
incidents made it such a hard year: low
Development Project to discern how
temperatures, rain, unreliable weather-
agri-technology can provide key
forecasting, a shortage of bins, LPG
data to assist with yield and on-farm
and bottle availability for dehydrators,
performance. These are two important
and labour. We should be looking at
transitions for the industry, firstly
Mark King | Chair
10 VINE MAGAZINE
in sustaining and growing an industry, and Stuart has been an incredible contributor to the DFA team.
the wonderful staff I’ve worked with While small, the DFA team works diligently for our growers, processors and other stakeholders. I can’t thank you all enough. I believe there are significant prospects ahead for the Australian dried grape industry, with strong demand for the best quality dried grapes in the world. I wish all involved in this historic and innovative industry all the best for the future.v
Anne Mansell | CEO
