Source: The Land, 2018

CFM’s Matt Clearwater recently sat on a grower panel for the Pistachio Growers Association, where he joined other industry leaders to discuss key issues including pest and disease management, irrigation strategies, and the rise of emerging production regions.

Since 2015, Australia’s pistachio industry has doubled its bearing orchard area to around 1,500 hectares, with another 1,500 hectares recently planted and yet to reach maturity. Nationally, there are now about 60 pistachio growers, with production forecast to hit 14,000 tonnes by 2030. To support this growth, a new hulling plant was commissioned this season to handle future volumes.



Domestic demand has grown steadily from 3,500 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes over the past decade, though much of this is still met through imports. As Australian production begins to outpace local consumption, the industry is preparing to explore new export opportunities.