As a grower I'd like to share a few observations on the 2018...

As a grower I'd like to share a few observations on the 2018 Australian dried fruit harvest. Generally things are looking very good. The sultana yield is significantly higher than last year (the industry may produce 20,000+ tonnes compared to 14,000 tonnes last year) and we've had very favorable weather conditions during spring and summer with very little disease risk and the fruit has matured at more normal rates compared to the late maturing of 2017. Most growers will start the "cutting" process to begin trellis drying the grapes in the next week or so. With no rain forecast in the immediate future the quality of the crop should be high (touchwood, there could be rain events during March/April...). Global prices for dried vine fruit have increased over the past 12 months mainly due to a very low Californian crop and consequent increase in the US raisin price, which is flowing through to sultanas.

So if things are managed well, ie fruit is trellis dried and harvested in a timely manner the industry should enjoy a good year. Fingers crossed!