GrapeConnect

March 2004
Push for sweeter grapes

Table grape growers, wholesalers and retailers from across Australia will get to the bottom of the barrel as to why sour grapes are on our supermarket shelves, tarnishing the reputation of Australia's grape quality.

GrapeConnect is calling grape industry partners to seminars next week, planned for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, to discuss the tart tasting problems surrounding early season domestic table grapes from each growing region.

The organisation, an initiative developed by the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Table Grape Committee, said its members from Northern Territory, Charters Towers, Bowen and Emerald to Mundubbera, St George and Cunnamulla will encourage chain partners, from the retail and wholesale industry, to attend.

The discussions examining table grape eating quality will be held in:
- Melbourne on 30 March, at the National Flower Centre Boardroom (Melbourne Markets) at 9:00am
- Sydney on 31 March, at the Sydney Markets Conference Centre (Sydney Markets) at 9:00am
- Brisbane on 2 April, at QFVG (Brisbane Markets) at 8:00am

Other topics including showcasing research, gaining industry feedback and working on industry affiliations with the GrapeConnect network.

GrapeConnect Chairman Richard Lomman said the call for attendance coincided with the release of a research report on the measurement of eating quality for early season domestic Menindee Seedless table grapes.

He said the report indicated that growers were picking their grapes prematurely, when fruit exhibited a combination of low sugar and high acid levels. This caused the grapes to taste sour and damaged the overall perception of grape quality.

The report, which is available to the public, suggests a quality standard is needed to address the problem. He said the incidence of poorer quality fruit, particularly at times of the year when retail prices are above average, had the potential to damage the level of consumer approval.

"While optimum market prices motivate growers to harvest early, the damage caused to consumer satisfaction could cripple the industry," Mr Lomman said.

"This report ties firmly with next week's industry seminars. We had a voluntary commitment to quality among our members in 2003-04, but a minimum quality standard for table grapes between GrapeConnect members and supply chain partners will be introduced in 2004-05, and this will be a key topic of discussion at the seminars."