Grow Mildura Region - Dried Fruit

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Dried Fruit

95% of Australia's dried grapes are produced in the Mildura Region. The success of the dried grape industry can be attributed to the dry climate, soil type and the irrigation systems in the area.

The main varieties grown for dried grapes are Sultanas, Currants, Raisins and Sunmuscats. Thompson Seedless (GA Sultanas), normally grown for the fresh fruit market, can also be dried when excess has been produced for the table grape industry.

The industry was established in the early 1890s. At that time, the district's founding fathers, the Chaffey Brothers had around 8,000 acres of the region under irrigation, supplying around 3,500 pioneering fruit growers.

However, in those days transporting fresh fruit by river to Echuca and by road to Melbourne took many days, and produce would often spoil. When a promised rail link to Mildura didn't eventuate, growers began drying their grapes for freighting to Melbourne and other markets.

Today the high quality, light golden coloured fruit produced in the Mildura Region demands a premium on domestic and international markets.

The Australian Dried Fruits Association
The Australian Dried Fruits Association (ADFA) was established by growers in 1907 to protect their interests, and has seen massive industry change over almost a century.

The head office is located in Mildura.

At present an initiative to re-position the dried grape industry and stimulate investment is being developed by the ADFA in conjunction with a number of industry stakeholders and the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The Australian Dried Fruits Industry Strategic Plan 2004-2007 will essentially drive the industry forward, increasing production and improving the viability of growers.

Copies of the Strategic Plan are available from the ADFA.

The ADFA offers a wide range of extension and promotion services to the industry. It operates the ADFA Shop in Deakin Avenue, Mildura, as a shopfront for the industry with a focus on the tourist trade.

31 Deakin Ave PO Box 5042 Mildura VIC 3502
T: + 61 3 5023 5174
E: PChidgzey@adfa.asn.au
www.adfa.asn.au

Processing and Packaging Facilities

SUNBEAM FOODS
The Sunbeam Foods brand name is known by millions of Australian consumers. Sunbeam markets an array of dried fruit products, both domestically and internationally, including sultanas, raisins, currants, mixed fruit, apricots, prunes, peaches, pears and other niche varieties.

Sunbeam products are packaged in a variety of forms, ranging from retail branded consumer packs to bulk industrial and food service products.

The company has been at the forefront of new technologies and industry development. Recently, Sunbeam in partnership with Rural Skills Australia, have introduced the Sunbeam Future Farmers training program designed to give young people a start on the land.

The Sunbeam head office is located in the Mildura Region, where its major dried grape processing facilities are located.

It is internationally certified to BRC and HACCP Quality Standards.

In early 2004, Sunbeam completed the purchase of the South Australian-based Angas Park Fruit Company, a major player in the dried tree fruit industry, with dried grape interests in the Mildura Region.

Sunbeam's website includes a comprehensive outline of the company's activities and educational resources.

Sunbeam Ave
PO Box 21 Irymple VIC 3498
T: +61 3 5051 4200
E: enquiries@sunbeamfoods.com.au
www.sunbeamfoods.com.au

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