| connecting for better bunches |
November 2003
Growers connect for better bunches
Table grape growers in Queensland and the Northern Territory have formed GrapeConnect, a group working to improve and promote the eating quality of early season table grapes.
GrapeConnect held its first general meeting in September and already has in place a number of initiatives to promote the industry.
GrapeConnect Chairman Richard Lomman said the group had commissioned market research on the eating quality of early season grapes.
“The market research commenced in early November and will roll out over an eight week period,” Richard said.
“The research will look at the sugar and acid content, and the retail price of early season domestic Menindee Seedless table grapes.
The sugar and acid content measures the ‘sweetness’ and eating quality of the grapes. Eating quality and purchase price have been identified as the two key factors in determining customer satisfaction with the purchase of table grapes.
Early findings suggest that acid content is the key factor in determining the palatability of early season table grapes.
Mr Lomman has recently returned from Sydney and Melbourne where he met with wholesalers and major retailers to tell the GrapeConnect story.
“The interstate trip was very successful with the objectives and activities of GrapeConnect receiving strong support from wholesalers and retail representatives “ Richard said. “ We are encouraged by their commitment to work with GrapeConnect members and look forward to post-season meetings in February 2004 to discuss the results of the research and steps forward to establishing a quality standard for GrapeConnect members.”
GrapeConnect is an initiative developed by the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG) Table Grape Committee. It was formed to continue to service the table grape industry in northern Australia.
Membership of GrapeConnect is voluntary and currently comprises 33 businesses involved in the early season table grape industry. Membership stretches from the Northern Territory, Charters Towers, Bowen and Emerald to Mundubbera, St George and Cunnamulla.
