PROFILE
Profile Rocky Mammone
Rocky Mammone is one of the youngest members on the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) board. A third-generation grower, he was appointed deputy chair of the ATGA board last year. Rocky is also a member of the Sunraysia Table Grape Growers Association (STGGA) and is committed to contributing to a sustainable, diverse and high-quality industry for the future. How long have you been in the industry?
How have things changed over the years? The scale and growth of the Australian table grape industry has seen it become the second largest horticulture export commodity by value. The introduction of new IP varieties is also a big change. Where do you see the industry going? The next few years will be tougher than we have seen recently. Labour shortages due to closed international borders might be with us for longer than we hoped. Market diversification will have to be the focus of growers and marketers and will be key to the industry future.
16 years.
The industry must maintain a very high standard of quality if we are to compete in a more crowded global market.
Is the family involved too?
What do you love about the industry?
Yes, family business still run by myself, father Frank and younger brother Vincent.
To see the results of a good crop and quality, from all of the hard work that goes into growing it, is very rewarding.
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Is there anything unique that your business or you individually are looking into, in terms of innovation? We are always looking at new varieties that are better and more cost effective to grow and that excite consumers. v
