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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

Strong Industry Support

Western Australia's economy is strongly based on exports and consequently it has well-developed modern and highly efficient infrastructure. The State is well serviced by an extensive network of sealed roads and highways and a network of modern seaports, including the major port of Fremantle near Perth which is regarded as one of Australia's most efficient. There are several major carrot exporting companies in Western Australia and several freight service providers. Some of the major exporting companies are vertically integrated with their own carrot producing farms. This allows for quality control right through the chain from production to marketing.

The Quality Advantage

The flavour and quality of Western Australian carrots is maintained by careful handling at every stage on the way to market. Carrots are washed immediately after harvest and then transported to packing sheds in covered trucks. After size grading and cooling at the packing shed, the carrots are quality graded and packed into lined cartons ready for loading into refrigerated sea containers. To keep them as fresh as the day they were harvested, Western Australian carrots are refrigerated to 1^oC and 6-18 metre long refrigerated containers during the sea voyage to overseas markets.

Technologically Advanced Production Systems

Western Australian carrot production is highly mechanised and growers have access to the best varieties available from breeding programs around the world. A wide range of varieties are grown, including hybrids produced by seed companies in France, Holland, America, Japan and Australia. Some of the important carrot varieties in Western Australia are Ivor, Stefano, Red Count and Crusader.

Research and Development

The Carrot Association for Research and Development (CARD) represents carrot growers in Western Australia. CARD helps set industry research priorities and oversees projects designed to benefit the Australian export carrot industry.

The State Government research and development agency, Department of Agriculture, works closely with CARD to deliver industry support through research, extension and development services. Department of Agriculture encourages the horticultural industries to work together with a view to developing long-term markets and implementing quality assurance systems while continuing traditional research and advisory services on crop protection, production and post-harvest technology.

Research funding is available fro the industry AUSVEG levy which is matched by the Australian Government through the Horticultural Research And Development Corporation. Four universities offer a range of graduate and postgraduate courses suitable for people seeking to work in horticulture. Chemical companies and private consultants also provide technical support and services.

The Australian Government manages the export of fresh fruit and vegetables through the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). AQIS has a role in ensuring that exports of Australian fruit and vegetables meet requirements of overseas' authorities by providing information, inspection and certification services. AQIS fulfils Australia's commitments in regard to fitness for human consumption, wholesomeness and truth in labelling.

Market Opportunities

Western Australia is a significant exporter of fresh carrots and is ideally positioned to access significant markets in Asia, the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

The main export markets for Western Australian carrots are Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. Carrot exports have shown consistent growth in value from $7.8 million in 1987/88 to over $37 million 1998/98.

The value ($AUS, FOB) and volume of Western Australian carrot exports for 1987 to 1997

Growing for the Future

Western Australia has much to offer as a carrot producing region and a market supplier including:

• A core of large scale professional growers
• One of the most pest and disease-free agricultural production areas in the world
• Ample land and water for future expansion
• Well established export infrastructure and experience
• Strong existing export industry which is expanding
• Research and development supported by the Australian Government and a national industry levy
• National collaboration between growers and associated service industries.

The industry has targeted three key factors for its future development and market expansion - improved productivity, quality and food safety and sustainable production practices. Through continuous improvement in these areas, the industry aims to meet customer demand, expand their markets and continue to consistently supply high quality wholesome vegetables.

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Malcolm Howes, Dr Soon Chye Tan and Garry Garreffa for their comments and suggestions. Peter Maloney for photography and Jacqui Mallard for design production assistance. We are grateful for the cooperation of Western Australian vegetable exporters who contributed information and assistance to the project. Support for the project by Terry Hill and Robin Nussey is also acknowledged.

Photography

Department of Agriculture

Further Information

Department of Agriculture
Allan McKay
Horticultural Program
3 Baron-Hay Court
South Perth, Western Australia 6151

 

Postal Address:

Locked Bag 4
Bentley Delivery Centre
Perth, Western Australia 6983

Tel: (08) 9368 3215 Fax: (08) 9367 2625

E-mail: amckay@agric.wa.gov.au

Page reviewed: March 2006