Dried grape plantings grow

The traditionally wheatgrowing region of the Millewa in Victoria's north-west might not be where you’d expect to find some of the dried grape industry’s newest plantings. But that’s exactly what’s happening at Grewal Farms at Cullulleraine, between Mildura and the South Australian border.

Grewal Farms – a family-operated business – has taken the leap into dried grape growing and the newcomers have shared their enthusiasm for what they see as a positive future in the industry.

Owners Manjinder and Kamal Grewal, originally from Punjab, India, have always been connected to agriculture and have been involved in farming for generations.

The family started farming in the region in early 2000 in the Riverland, South Australia, growing winegrapes and stone fruit.

“Then the business expanded its operations to Sunraysia, growing grain, nuts and grapes, most recently moving into citrus as well,” Kamal said.

“Along with growing the crops, we started processing the commodities to add value. This was done by milling the grain into flour.”

The Cullulleraine farm is home to Grewal Golden Grains. A Dried Fruits Australia field walk last year toured the farm, which included the new dried grape plantings and an insight into the milling side of the grain business.

Kamal, whose role is to explore business development opportunities, explained the decision to add dried grapes to their production was about diversification of crops.

“We wanted to diversify the crops that we grow and to minimise the risk while growing limited crops,” he said.

The business was supported in their decision by Dried Fruits Australia’s GrapeInvest platform.

The online platform allows growers to input data – grape variety, hectares and other variables – to see their earning potential.

“The dried grape industry is very supportive and encourages new growers to enter,” Kamal said. While the Grewals have had experience in vineyards before, this will be their first introduction to growing dried grapes.

“We haven’t had any experience growing dried grapes before, but have grown other types of grapes, which has been helpful in the process,” Kamal said.

“As mentioned before, the industry has been very supportive, especially the industry leaders in providing valuable insights and knowledge to first-time growers.

“The experience has been great so far, we have learnt a lot and there is still much more to learn as we move forward.”

Grewal Farms is only in the first of several planned stages to enter the dried grape industry.

The first stage – 120 acres (48ha) of dried grape plantings – includes Sugra 39 and Selma Pete, and is expected to be ready for its first harvest in 2025.

“There will be more plantings to follow after this first stage,” Kamal said.

“We’re looking at doing another two to three stages of similar acreage of dried grapes in the coming years with other varieties.”

Dried Fruits Australia CEO Thomas Cheung and field officer Stephen Kelly recently visited Grewal Farms to see the progress that’s been made on the development.

Thomas said he was excited by the potential of new plantings and what that meant for the dried grape industry.

“DFA, as the peak industry body for dried fruits, will always encourage new growers with technical expertise and market insight support from an industry point of view,” Thomas said.

“Our goal aligns with the industry’s processors. Together we would like to welcome and support new growers and expand our existing crop intake.

“I have spoken to Kamal, the extraordinary passionate leader with big vision for his family business. I honestly believe that this is the perfect time to invest in the dried grape industry.”

Thomas said strong demand in both domestic and overseas markets for quality Australian dried fruit, coupled with consistently improving grower returns, made dried grape investment attractive. He flagged new rain resistant and disease tolerant varieties with exceptional crop yields and early harvest as a "gamechanger" to our industry.

"Mechanisation and automation have been significantly improved through the mechanical winter pruning project, as well as the DFA Innovation Committee's work getting new harvesters out to industry," Thomas said.

Kamal said the future of the dried grape industry looked to be positive.

“The industry is growing and looking into areas of improvement in the growing of dried grapes, which is optimistic,” he said.

Stephen encouraged other growers who were considering new plantings or vineyard redevelopment to consider contacting DFA for guidance with the GrapeInvest platform.

“I am available to visit growers on their blocks and discuss plans for new or expanded plantings,” he said. v

Stephen can be reached by emailing projects@driedfruitsaustralia.org.au