Tasmania welcomes berry growers from around the country

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 3.05pm

Australia’s international berry conference BerryQuest 2025 takes place in Tasmania this week, showcasing the latest innovations and discussing key issues for the industry including growing techniques, packaging, marketing, export development, biosecurity, and labour.

Organised by Berries Australia, BerryQuest is a four day event which will attract over 500 participants from around Australia and internationally and includes two days of farm visits to some of Tasmania’s key fruit growing regions and operators.

Andrew Terry, Managing Director of Tasmanian Berries and Board member of both Berries Australia and Fruit Growers Tasmania commented, “It is great to host this event in Tasmania and we look forward to showcasing our industry to the rest of Australia.”

Peter Cornish, CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania, said “Fruit Growers Tasmania welcomes this event being held in Tasmania as it is recognition of the important contribution that Tasmanian growers make to the national industry.

“Tasmania grows exceptional quality berries, due in no small part to the growing conditions, clean water, cool climate, and long slow growing seasons with very little pest pressure. This is evident by the fact that a number of the large corporate fruit producers choose to grow berries here.”

Tasmania produces more than a third of the nation’s raspberries and blackberries and is the second largest producing state for blueberries.

Peter added, “Due to our seasonality we are a vital part of supplying quality fruit into interstate markets, and we will play an important role in supplying export markets in the future given our Pest Free Area status from fruit flies.

“Berry production makes up over 60 per cent of the Tasmanian fruit industry, contributing $200 million in farmgate value.”

The Tasmanian fruit industry employs over 10,000 people, with a large proportion of these working on berry farms and packhouses during the season.

The BerryQuest conference sessions start on Wednesday 26 February and feature a range of speakers, including an opening address by the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Richard Shannon from the National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council.

Peter said, “It will be an opportunity to discuss with the Minister and industry leaders a range of issues pertinent to Tasmanian growers, including the importance of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme and the need for immediate changes to improve the freight cost disadvantage for berry growers who have invested heavily in production here.”

Andrew added, “There are a range of issues of concern to growers, and the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme is an important one for all businesses that have a berry growing operation in Tasmania. I’m sure it will be raised at the conference.”