METHODS for minimising Riverland almond production waste and increasing international exports were key aspects of a major industry conference in Adelaide recently.
Over 550 people attended the 2022 Australian Almond Conference, held over three days in October 2022 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Leading international almond agronomists David Doll and University of California Professor Patrick Brown were among keynote speakers at the event, and discussed how to do more with less on local farms.
Updates on aspects of the industry’s research and development program, including integrated pest and disease management, whole-of-orchard recycling, water efficiency and growing almonds on heavy soils were also among the issues covered.
In the state of the industry address, Almond Board of Australia chief executive officer Tim Jackson said despite the recent challenges of Covid-19, varroa mite, an increase of input costs, storms and challenging weather, Riverland almond growers “remained in a strong position to feed the world”.
“We aimed to provide delegates with as much information as possible, but ensured we kept it as relevant as possible to growers of all sizes,” Tim said.
Tim said a “plant-based food phenomenon” had driven further demand for almonds in overseas markets.
“As a growing proposition the non-perishable attributes of almonds and the returns per megalitre used are attracting more investors to the industry,” he said.
We are working toward zero waste as an industry and are well advanced.
“To think that every piece of almond harvested is used… changes the whole discussion around water use.
“With every kernel grown there is also a shell and a hull. Not that long ago they were considered waste, but today we are seeing innovative ways to utilise every part of the fruit grown, including energy, fertiliser and even furniture.
“It is an exciting time to be involved in an industry that is embracing its sustainability responsibilities.”
Tim said a market update from processing companies including ofi, Select Harvest, Nut Producers Australia, and Almondco provided an insight into current export opportunities.
The half year ABA Position Report, unveiled at the conference, showed China continued to emerge as a key component of the almond export program, receiving more than 40 per cent of all exported almonds.
“Overall exports were back on track with last year’s record levels, but domestic consumption was down,” Tim said.
The Almond Board of Australia also launched a new purpose-built portal at the event, aimed at assisting growers benchmark their on-farm practises.
Tim said the portal, which is free to use, would be an “integral tool to help growers, processors and the industry in formalising what is going on at ground level, and also meet consumer demands”.
Tim said attendance for the conference had been 40 per cent higher than the event’s previous best, with trade exhibits also increasing by 25 per cent for this year.
Doctor Michelle Wirthensohn was awarded a Contribution to Industry Award at the conference’s gala dinner, while John Bird was posthumously inducted as a hall of fame member.