Compared effects of different phytosanitary treatments on Australian fruit

The Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) through the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Program and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is funding a one year project that will directly compare the effects of cold treatment, low dose irradiation and fumigation on the quality of exported fruit from Australia.

The study aims at helping the large export industries (citrus, table grapes) and growing export industries with potential (cherries and blueberries). A data set of comparative fruit quality following treatment and simulated export supply chain will provide growers and exporters with reliable, clear information to decide which market access treatment is suitable for a specific market pathway. This will give exporters commercial confidence to use ‘new’ phytosanitary pathways to new export markets and realise opportunities created for Australian exporters under recent Free Trade Agreements.

The lead researcher is Dr John Golding of the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.