EXPLORING new opportunities in a growing industry is the goal of a local father-and-son team focused on a unique crop.
Third generation Paringa-based growers James (pictured) and Theo Simpfendorfer – who operate Permedah Fruits with their father Martin – have spent the past four decades converting their property into a pistachio farm.
Martin said the property, which formerly produced stone fruit, was initially purchased in 1951 by his father Ernst.
“We put irrigation pipes in, then began watering,” Martin said.
“We started off with vegetables to get a bit of cash flow, then also apricots and peaches that we dried.
“It was a lot more labour intensive everywhere. We grew up through the years with ways to improve things.
“It was my dad’s love of eating fruit which triggered the idea to have an orchard, so he could enjoy fruit year-round.”
James said the pistachio tree – which is native to the Middle East – was ideal to grow in the Riverland’s warm and dry climate.
“Way back in the early ’70s the CSIRO Merbein did some breeding with overseas pistachio cultivars,” James said.
“They had a big patch with rows of trees they could cross-breed and try out in trials. We got some of the earliest rootstock and budwood from that.
“They were looking for alternative crops to stone fruit that were suitable for this area.
“Pistachios have a very waxy and thin leaf, which means they don’t lose much water in the heat.”
James said annual variations in weather conditions were a primary factor in the overall yield of pistachios.
“In 2019 we aimed at three tonnes per hectare for our older trees, and two tonnes per hectare for our trees that were planted in 2010 to 2012,” he said.
“Conditions weren’t quite favourable, because Renmark is one of the warmer areas in winter. If there’s not enough chill, we need to offset that.
“We had a reasonable harvest… but then last year we had our biggest crop ever for the whole orchard.
“With good fertilising, watering and tree management, we’re managing to get a more stabilised yield.”
James said an increasing demand for pistachios across Australia meant most of his crop was sold within the country.
“Our first crop would have been in the late ’70s or early ’80s, and until the number of growers in Australia increased, all pistachios were imported,” he said.
“In Australia, the demand has always kept increasing and outstripped the local supply.
“There is a good demand for locally grown, because it’s nice and fresh.
“Until only about two years ago Australian grown pistachios were just supplying local, then we had a really good crop and we sold a few to limited markets overseas.
James expected their youngest pistachio trees – planted in 2020 – would start producing nuts in approximately six years.
“There are quite a few new plantings in the ground which will mature,” he said.
“We’ve virtually replanted our 40 acres to pistachios… between us we manage with what we’ve got and keep up with everything.”