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West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Donnybrook orchardist Sam Licciardello named one of Australia‘s best at Horticulture Awards for Excellence
Donnybrook pear and apple grower Sam Licciardello has been recognised as one of the best horticultural producers in the country, an 'absolute honour' he says has left him feeling humbled and proud of his industry. The third-generation orchardist took out two major horticulture awards in the space of a week earlier this month, after being nominated by his industry peers. Mr Licciardello's winning streak started when he took out the Agritourism Award at Apple and Pear Australia's Awards for Excellence on June 4. Just two days later, he won the Community Stewardship Award in the Horticulture Awards for Excellence at a special gala dinner to mark the end of Australia's biggest horticulture conference — Hort Connections — in Brisbane. Mr Licciardello was one of five finalists in one of the main categories at this year's Horticulture Awards for Excellence, which aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of leading growers, businesses and individuals across the sector. He was one of two of WA horticulture's 'best and brightest' nominated, with Newton Orchards' Nicole Giblett among 12 finalists for the Women in Horticulture category. The award came as a surprise to Mr Licciardello, who farms with his wife Vanessa and their three daughters Amber, 19, Jade, 17, and Mia, 11. 'I am honoured to have won this award, and humbled,' he said. 'I just feel so proud to represent WA and the industry we have here.' Mr Licciardello is continuing his family's legacy running the third-generation, family-operated orchard on the South Western Highway near Donnybrook. His family has farmed the 45ha property since 1950 and these days focus predominantly on apples and pears, as well as plums, nectarines, peaches and cherries. 'I love growing fruit, and to win these awards is amazing . . . but at the end of the day, I am just doing what I love,' he said. 'The ultimate goal is to provide high-quality fruit for the community to enjoy . . . and to educate the public on what they are eating and where it comes from. 'We are so lucky here in the South West to have so many amazing fruit and vegetables grown here . . . it is a great part of the world to live in.' Mr Licciardello wears a number of hats in the region, as a Pomewest WA committee member, an exhibitor and organiser of the Donnybrook Apple Festival's fruit pavilion, and the host of Taste Donnybrook's annual long table lunch. Pomewest executive manager Nardia Stacey accepted the Horticulture Awards for Excellence accolade on behalf of Mr Licciardello. 'It was a privilege to be able to nominate a grower who is as engaged and passionate as Sam,' she said. 'We are so happy he won . . . he is just an all-round fabulous person and totally deserves this award.' Ausveg chief executive Michael Coote said the winners represented the 'best and brightest' of Australian horticulture and its future.
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Apples grown on Australian mainland to be exported to China for first time
As The decision is being celebrated by growers hoping to cash in on a market already worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Australian horticulture. "It's a great, great outcome," Apple and Pear Australia head of government relations Jeremy Griffith said. "Our growers will now have access to the huge China market." Tasmanian apples have had access to the Chinese market since 2010, but apples from mainland Australia have missed out until now. That was due to so-called technical trade barriers, which require biosecurity protocols to be in place to allow the export of fresh produce that could carry pests and diseases from one country to another. Tasmania is free of fruit fly, but the mainland is not, and Australia was waiting on China to approve protocols relating to the control of fruit fly. Orchards exporting apples to China will need to be registered. ( ABC Rural: Sophie Johnson ) Mr Griffith said the deal, which had taken years to negotiate, had now been done. "That's all been agreed to between our government and the Chinese government," he said. "Orchards need to be registered, there needs to be cold treatment [of fruit], so hopefully everything will be ready to go for the 2026 harvest." A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson confirmed the government had secured technical market access protocols for mainland apples to be sent to China. "This will be beneficial to Australian apple farmers looking to enter new trade markets," the spokesperson said. " We will continue to work with our apple industry to support their ability to meet the protocol requirements. " The announcement comes after 10 Australian abattoirs were this week given the ability to export Market access worth millions According to the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), which represents a large network of the horticulture industry, China bought $380 million worth of Australian fruit and vegetables in 2024 alone. AFPA chief executive Claire McClelland said it was yet another opportunity for Australian agriculture to improve its relationship with one of its biggest buyers. "Securing access to China for Australian apples is a significant achievement for the sector and provides an important new opportunity for growers," she said. "This announcement highlights the value of stable, two-way trade with China and the importance of continuing to strengthen that relationship for the benefit of both countries." Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland. ( ABC News: Tim Lee ) Stability for struggling growers Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland, and the industry has lacked lucrative export markets for decades. Mr Griffith said that had left growers at the mercy of supermarkets. "Australian growers are very reliant on the domestic market, which is 66 per cent controlled by Coles and Woolworths, so we've been very much exposed to two buyers," he said. "There has been a lot of pressure on Australian growers with increasing costs and that inability to pass those costs on to supermarkets because of their buying power. " The opportunity to find an alternative market is a huge opportunity for the industry. " The Coalition has been contacted for comment. ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
