20 May 2008 |
 |
| Wine grape production up despite drought |
 |
| Total Australian wine grape production is forecast to increase by 19 per cent to 1.67 million tonnes in 2007-08, as a result of improved growing conditions in key production areas, according to a new ABARE report Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2009-10 released today. “Forecast production in 2007-08 is higher than early-season estimates because of greater than expected resilience of vines suffering from drought stress, and water purchasing by growers in drought-affected irrigation areas,” said Phillip Glyde, Executive Director of ABARE, “Despite the better than previously expected outcomes, production will be well below the record 1.9 million tonnes achieved in 2004-05,” Mr Glyde added. The greatest increase in production in 2007-08 is expected to occur in the cool-climate grape growing regions. Production increases in warm climate areas are forecast to be minimal because of ongoing scarcity of water for irrigation. In 2008-09, wine grape production is projected to increase further, to 1.78 million tonnes, but to remain constrained by water availability. Wine grape production is projected to reach 2.0 million tonnes in 2009-10, assuming a return to average seasonal conditions. Following improved seasonal conditions in cool climate regions, production of red wine grape varieties is expected to increase relatively more than white wine grape varieties in 2007-08. Production of both red and white wine grape varieties in warm climate regions is likely to remain constrained by continued shortages of irrigation water. Production of red grape varieties in 2007-08 is forecast to increase by 31 per cent from 2006-07, mostly because of an improvement in yields. The bearing area of red grapes is forecast to increase only minimally. Production of white grape varieties is expected to increase in 2007-08, but by less than red grapes, because relatively more of these grapes are grown in warm climate regions where smaller production increases are expected. The research was conducted by ABARE and commissioned by the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation. |
 |
| For media interviews and comment, please contact Vince O’Donnell, Commodity Outlook and Client Relations, on 02 6272 2255, mobile 0419 303 639 or email vodonnell@abare.gov.au For free downloads of Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2009-10, please visit the ABARE website www.abare.gov.au or phone Publications on 02 6272 2010. For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260, mobile 0417 689 567 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au |
|
 |
 |