What is FO2012?

Future Orchards 2012 is a two-year program designed to lift the productivity of Australian apple and pear orchards to world competitiveness.

The program, which is managed by Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL), started in July 2006 and is supported by $1 million of funding from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's Industry Partnership Program.

AgFirst, a world leading consultancy company from New Zealand is providing consultancy services to the project. AgFirst, which has specialist horticultural skills, was chosen after an international search was conducted to find the skills and experience required for the consultancy.

The main drivers of the project are to lower orchard production costs per kilogram of fruit, increase the percentage of premium fruit harvested and bring Australian orchardists up to international competitiveness in the domestic and export markets.

Statement of Purpose

Purpose
The purpose of Future Orchards 2012 is to provide a roadmap to an internationally competitive Australian apple and pear industry.

Future Orchards 2012 goals are:

• Year 2: Australian apple and pear growers are thinking about and planning new actions in relation to intensification, product quality, international competitiveness and profitability.
• Year 5: All new plantings are intensive. Older plantings are managed to provide maximum profitability.
• Year 10: The Australian apple and pear industry is world competitive.