Sunraysia Table Grape Growers - A Snapshot

Table grapes are a large component of the Mildura Region's grape production accounting for 70% of the total Australian table grape production.

Most Farms are Small in size

While 70 per cent of Australia's table grape production comes from the Sunraysia district, most table grape producers are small family businesses, with properties around eight hectares in size. The labour-intensive nature of the table grape crop (unlike dried or wine grapes) requires the industry to employ a great number of permanent and itinerant workers. Backpackers are drawn to the region 9 months of the year to assist growers meet the demand of harvest. 

20 Varietals in Mildura

Australian Table Grape Association recent reports indicate around 40 varieties of table grapes; where local growers to the Mildura Region produce over 20 varietals.

MILDURA REGION TABLE GRAPE SEASONALITY CHART

Table Grape Varieties

Availability of table grapes in the Mildura Region

Packaging and Processing Services

Packaging and processing of table grapes is usually carried out in packing sheds and has recently diversified to field packing.

Polystyrene boxes are usually used to pack bulk fruit for distribution and some are bagged for supermarket supply. 

Individual table grape growers generally carry out packaging services and smaller growers contract the larger grower/producer to package their fruit.

There are certain skills to packing table grapes, and to ensure they are kept in optimum condition experienced pickers and packers are sought each harvest.