Goulburn Valley is still fruitful

The Goulburn Valley and surrounds was identified as a major producer and a sole major producer in a few fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Looking at fruit, the Goulburn Valley was listed as a major production area for fresh apples, cherries, pears, persimmons, apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums.

It was also listed as the sole major production area for fresh kiwifruit and nashi.

“Nashi fruit, and other Asian pears as they are sometimes known, are grown predominantly in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria,” the handbook said.

“Nashi fruit are all grown for the fresh market.”

Canned fruit and dried tree fruit were also listed as Goulburn Valley specialities, with canned summer fruit including peaches, apricots and plums in the area accounting for 23 per cent of canned fruit production.

“Dried tree fruits other than plums are a combination from different categories, predominantly summer fruits,” the handbook said.

“They include apples, apricots, mandarins, nectarines, pineapples, peaches and pears.

“The majority of the fruit grown for this category are from the Riverland, Sunraysia and Goulburn Valley regions.”

The Goulburn Valley was listed as a major producer of three fresh vegetables, being eggplant, tomatoes and peas.

“Tomatoes are grown in most states of Australia, with the majority of production occurring in Victoria and South Australia,” the handbook said.

“Traditionally most tomatoes were produced outdoors in Queensland.

“In recent years, more tomatoes have been grown in high-tech glasshouses.”

The region is also responsible for walnut production, with the two other major producers being Yeppoon and Sunshine Coast, both in Queensland.

“Walnuts are grown across Australia, with the majority of production occurring in NSW.

“Walnuts have a strong export focus, with a moderate volume of the Australian production being sold locally in-shell.”