at a glance

Bulletin 4426

Allan McKay and Geraldine Pasqual Horticulture Program, Department of Agriculture

Western Australia produces a wide range of horticultural commodities including fruit, vegetables, flowers, nursery products and wine a part of its fast growing $400 million horticultural industry. Natural advantages such as the mild climate and clean environment, suitable soils and water make Western Australia an ideal place to produce a variety of high quality produce for domestic and international markets.

Western Australia has a strong carrot industry with production from well-established farms supplying domestic and export markets. Industry members aim for a high level of customer satisfaction by offering popular varieties, premium quality and the ability to consistently supply markets. In 1998/99 the Western Australian carrot industry produced exports worth $37 million FOB.

Carrots - A Growing Industry

Are you searching for quality carrots which are clean and sound with good colour and taste?

"Yes", you say, then Western Australian growers and exporters can supply precisely what you need.

Western Australia is Australia's leading exporter of fresh carrots, accounting for about 90% of the country's exports. Strong demand for high quality Western Australian carrots in Asian countries has seen Western Australian exports rise form 16,400 tonnes in 1987/88 to over 52,000 tonnes in 1998/99.

¹ Gross value of commodities estimated based on average wholesale prices

Western Australia is blessed with large areas of sandy soils which are suitable for the production of high quality carrots. Carrot production is located mainly on the Swan Coastal plain 150km to the north and south of Perth.

The mild climate and sandy soils of the Swan Coastal plain allow carrots to be sown and harvested every day of the year. Winter dominant rainfall means that little irrigation is needed at this time of the year while in summer, irrigations is drawn from plentiful reserves of good quality underground water.

Carrot growing regions of Western Australia

Availability

Freshly harvested carrots are available all year round from Western Australia. A wide range of carrot sizes and shapes are produced to meet customer specifications for a range of international markets. The majority of current production in WA is based on sweet flavoured, blunt-ended Nantes varieties although Kuroda and Imperator varieties are also produced.

Availability