Citrus business spies a seedless future

Citrus eaters will increasingly find their favourite fruit less difficult to peel as well, as skin attributes come into focus within breeding programs.

According to Freshmax category and supply integration general manager Andrew Maughan, the global demand for seedless has gone hand-in-hand with easy-peel varieties.

"In some key citrus markets, seedless is becoming an essential requirement, in that it’s predicted in the not-too-distant future that seedless citrus will be a non-negotiable requirement," he said.

The Freshmax Group comprises one of the largest fresh produce marketing and distribution operations in the pan-Pacific region.

It handles oranges, mandarins and lemons from Sunraysia and the Murray Valley in Victoria; Riverland in South Australia; the Riverina region of New South Wales and the Gayndah/Burnett region of Queensland.

This includes the Sumo Citrus, Gold Nugget and Tango Citrus mandarin brands.

There are two main methods of producing seedless citrus.

While some varieties are genetically naturally seedless, others are created through a traditional hybridisation process.

Other new varieties are discovered as a mutation of a current variety that that is genetically pollen sterile and therefore seedless. 

Growers are also able to grow seedless fruit if they grow their citrus in isolation either geographically or using netting to stop bees cross-pollinating a variety with another citrus variety which causes seed in the fruit.

Not surprisingly, the seedless trend is bound to affect the standard seeded variety market.

"Ultimately, seedless easy-peel mandarins will impact the traditional seeded varieties if they are in the same competing market window," Mr Maughan said.

"Our opinion is that seedless easy-peel will become the market standard and regular seeded varieties will come under significant pressure to fit into the market place which will ultimately impact the financial sustainability of these varieties for producers."

Australian consumers are yet to be extensively presented with seedless easy-peel varieties.

Mr Maughan said in terms of Navel oranges, very low seeded or seedless fruit has been the standard for a very long time.

"We are firmly of the opinion that once Australian consumers have been exposed to seedless easy-peel mandarins, it will become demanded by consumers, much like seedless watermelon now dominates the Australian watermelon market," he said.

Seedless varieties continue to be selected for further research development throughout the world, particularly if other agronomic attributes can be woven in, such as fruit sizes, growth habits, disease and pest tolerance, and category extension (early and late season).

According to Mr Maughan, one of the major targets for breeders will be to breed varieties or rootstocks that are resistant to citrus greening disease which is not currently present in Australia.

"The Australian citrus industry should be striving to grow varieties that will offer a consistent eating experience for consumers, to help drive consumption in the citrus category," he said.

"Australian costs of production are significantly higher than many other citrus producing countries therefore growers should also be continually updating new production techniques and remain at the leading edge of technology to remain competitive.

"Export is, and will remain an imperative component of the Australian citrus industry and the industry must continue to select varieties preferred by import markets around the world."

Citrus Australia reports that the level of citrus exports for the first five months of the year is 92 per cent higher than the equivalent period last year.

Citrus Australia CEO Judith Damiani said Australian citrus exports recorded 16,765 tonnes by the end of May, valued at $25.9 million. 

Most markets recorded a strong start to the season.

Orange exports are 119pc higher to date, while mandarins are 46pc higher. 

“Significantly, more than 2000 tonnes of lemons have been sent to Indonesia - a fourfold increase on last year to date. 

Indonesia has been the early driver behind this export growth – there has been 211pc growth in orange exports to date, compared to the equivalent period last year," Ms Damiani said.

“Hong Kong, China and Japan have all recorded a strong start to the season along with significant percentage growth in the smaller markets, including UAE."

In June, citrus growers were given a look inside Australia's only citrus breeding program at a workshop at the Queensland Department of Agriculture research station in Bundaberg.

The field day drew more than 70 attendees including growers from Gayndah, Mundubbera, Wallaville, Sunshine Coast, Emerald and far north Queensland.

Citrus Australia’s market information and quality manager Nathan Hancock said the group inspected various sites at the research station during the visit, helping them to gain an understanding of the processes followed in developing the thousands of seedlings that are planted out and evaluated every year.

“Objectives include selecting seedlings based on their ability to develop colour in warmer climates, the absence of seed, ease of peeling, resistance to disease pressure, taste, look and producing a consistent product year in year out,” he said.