News Bright future ahead

Bright future ahead

The dried grape industry has a bright future, according to retiring CEO Anne Mansell, who has reflected on her time in the position and shared her hopes for the future of the industry.

Anne joined Dried Fruits Australia in February 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience in policy, politics and regional development – as well as an upbringing surrounded by fruit blocks.

“I was brought up next door to a dried grape and citrus packing shed,” Anne said.

“My mum’s family and my dad’s family had both been in dried grape production, but my parents weren't. But I grew up – like everyone else around here – with it surrounding me, and worked on various friends’ properties picking and doing racks, driving tractors and the like.” In looking back at her five-and-ahalf years with DFA, Anne hoped her legacy would be her work fostering collaboration across the industry. “I think the key for any industry to move ahead and move forward has always been to work together,” she said.

“Between us all here – our team here at DFA – that’s what we’ve really tried to foster by working with our growers and our processors collaboratively to hopefully bring a more positive future to the industry. “It’s about lifting everyone so the whole industry can be performing at a high level and therefore benefit the local economy, regional economy, and the greater Australian economy.” Anne said DFA’s field officer Stuart Putland had the technical dried grape growing knowledge, which meant she could focus on being “strategic in where we wanted to take the industry”. “At the time I started in the role, it was really about making sure we expanded the export market and getting the price parameters right,” she said. “It was about trying to get that price kicked up so growers would stay in the industry. To do that, the focus was on increasing exports, because that’s where the high price was at that point in time.”

Anne worked closely with processors and growers to find the best markets for Australian dried grapes. Germany and Italy had been “classic markets”, but Anne was keen to see what opportunities existed for the industry in Asia.

"I think there's a strong positive future for our industry. We might be small, but at the end of the day we're kicking some great goals."

Thomas Cheung and Anne Mansell

“We went to a lot of specific trade shows to benefit dried grapes. That was a really interesting process, and we made inroads there,” Anne said of connections made in China, Singapore and Vietnam.

“We did all that exploration and got those markets in place, and then Covid hit.”

The pandemic put a stop to some of that market exploration and expansion work, and it coincided with an increase in table grape plantings and transfer of dried grapes to table grapes, reducing the industry tonnage. While this forced exports to be scaled down, market demand remains high, placing the industry in a positive position for the future, according to Anne.

“We do produce the best quality in the world,” she said.

“The market demand is really strong for our dried grapes. It’s a matter of getting that consistency of supply so we can support those markets.” Anne said DFA initiatives including the 10 Tonne Project, benchmarking and yield monitoring – in addition to new investments supported by the GrapeInvest modelling tool – would help to grow consistency of supply to help support market demand. “I think there’s a strong positive future for our industry,” she said. “We might be small, but at the end of the day, we’re kicking some great goals.” Anne said one of the highlights during her time with DFA was working alongside industry to come up with ideas for what was needed, including one of the most recent developments in mechanised pruning. “From an idea to get us to full mechanisation, to now seeing a pruner that’s actually out there working, that’s been a tremendous highlight,” she said.

DFA chair Mark King said it had been a pleasure to work with Anne, who had achieved a lot in the role.

“With her passion for the industry, willingness to learn and consider all views put forward, we have pushed to grow the industry,” Mark said. “Anne has a great rapport with people – from growers and the board to politicians – and has built a great team.

“Her team has been very active and successful in securing grants to fund initiatives like the 10 Tonne Project, which I believe is the reason why new growers have joined the industry. “For two kids from Coomealla High School, we’ve done pretty well over the last five or so years!”

New growth

Anne and Mark agree DFA is in good hands under incoming CEO Thomas Cheung. “Thomas has a great understanding of the markets and of the industry itself,” Anne said.

“He has a degree in economics, and he understands how regional economies work – there’s a lot of great knowledge and expertise he’ll bring to this role.”

Having started his career in the dried fruits industry, Thomas is looking forward to contributing more and working with the people who make up the industry to “strategically build a brighter future”. “I have been involved with the dried fruit industry in one way or another for over 22 years,” Thomas said. “I am in love with the people – growers, processors, customers, suppliers, and all stakeholders. There’s so much enjoyment for me in working with them together, facing up to the challenges, overcoming difficulties, and having joyful laughs after a fruitful season.

“DFA has always been and will always be the major force in leading the Australian dried fruit industry, working collaboratively to build a sustainable, innovative and prosperous industry for many new generations to come. “Under the strong leadership of the DFA board and CEO Anne Mansell, it has led so many highlights and achievements. It is my honour to continue such success and to further improve it.” v