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| Foreword |
| The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation commissioned ABARE to produce wine grape production projections for the three years 2007-08 to 2009-10. The report provides information for both wine grape producers and winemakers to help them plan their production programs on the basis of projected grape supply by region and variety. In this report production estimates are made for 27 wine grape producing zones, incorporating 83 regions across Australia. Projections are made for 24 specialist wine grape varieties, as well as multipurpose grapes and minor varieties for each region. While the base data for the estimates rely on the annual viticultural census undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, estimates of winery intake are based on the National Utilisation Project coordinated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. Estimates of yield are based on industry feedback from each region, with the projections for 2007-08 and 2008-09 reflecting continuing difficult seasonal conditions in warm climate districts, where water for irrigation is expected to remain scarce. In cool climate regions, some improvement is expected in these years. By 2009-10, assuming a return to average seasonal conditions in all regions, wine grape production is projected to reach a record level . This report and a set of detailed production tables by region and variety are available on ABARE’s website, www.abare.gov.au. The data in this report also form an integral part of ABARE’s analysis of the outlook for the Australian wine industry presented at OUTLOOK 2008 and published in the March edition of ABARE’s quarterly journal, Australian Commodities. |
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| Phillip Glyde Executive Director May 2008 |