Grapefruit Production in Australia (2019)

Overview

Grapefruit production mainly occurs in the Murray valley region. Grapefruit imports all around the year aid this fruit to be accessible to the Australian citizens all around the year. The production in Western Australia and the Northern Territory also contributes to the abundance of this fruit in the nation.

Statistics

As of 2019:

1. 11,132 tonnes of grapefruit was produced and valued at $16.5 million. 4% of this total amount was then sent to be processed, mostly for juicing.
2. The supply per capita was 424 grams, based on the volume that was supplied.
3. The wholesale value of the fresh grapefruit supply was $19.0 million. Out of this $19.0 million, $16.5 million was spent on retail and $2.5 million went into food service.
4. 15% of Australian households purchased grapefruits while on their grocery haul. This amounts to an average of 814 gram per shopping trip.

Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Grapefruit may help reduce insulin resistance, which can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This fruit contains nutrients and antioxidants shown to help protect the heart by regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The citric acid in the fruit may help reduce the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Major Grapefruit Production Areas

Predominantly, grapefruits are produced in the Riverina region in New South Wales. Some of the other major areas where this fruit is produced are the Murray Valley in Victoria; the Riverland region of South Australia; the Perth region in Western Australia and Central Burnett in Queensland.

Fresh Grapefruit International Trade

Australia is traditionally considered to be a net importer of this fruit. Moreover, this nation imports more than 1,200 tonnes per year. As of June 2019, Australia has exported approximately 1,203 tonnes of this fruit. The exports and imports values are represented in the graph below, where the imports are showcased as negative tonnes.

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard tech)