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Australian Citrus
Production |
Protected from pests | Availability
Supply and Demand | Delicious
and Nutritious
Communication |
Future Directions
Australian citrus production began in 1787 when the English First
Fleet set sail under instructions to introduce plants and seeds
for sustainable horticulture. Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit
and mandarins were planted in and around Sydney and formed the
basis of today’s national industry.
The early settlers found Australia’s diverse climate ideal
to produce a large range of quality, sweet and juicy citrus. In
the southern growing regions, hot, dry summers promote energetic
growing while cool winter rains encourage excellent orange fruit
growth and exceptional colour. In contrast, the combination of
summer heat and humidity, and dry winters in the northern growing
regions of the country are ideal for producing superior mandarins.
Today, 32,000 hectares of citrus are planted by about 2800 growers.
The major production regions are in the Riverland, South Australia;
Murray Valley, Victoria and New South Wales; Riverina, New South
Wales and the Central Burnett region in Queensland. There are
also additional plantings throughout Western Australia, inland
and coastal New South Wales, regions in Queensland, as well as
smaller plantings in the Northern Territory.
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