Queensland-based Piñata Farms is set to double production of specialty BerryWorld raspberries in Tasmania following a successful inaugural harvest at Orielton.
Managing director Gavin Scurr said key infrastructure including polytunnels and a high-tech packhouse were already in place to enable expansion plans. The packhouse features what is believed to be the only heat-sealing machine in Tasmania.
Planting for Tasmania's summer crop would begin in about September or when conditions were optimal, he said. The first harvest is now in its final stages.
"Raspberries have been harvested continuously at Orielton for the past six months and fruit quality and yield has exceeded expectations," Scurr said. "Given the farm was a greenfield site, there was a lot to make happen before the first harvest including the erection of wind breaks to protect the crop.
"Of Piñata Farms' raspberry growing regions, conditions at Orielton are the most like that of Europe where the varieties were bred. Therefore, the location is ideal for raspberry production and the result has been exceptional berry size and taste.
"We're very excited about the future of Tasmanian-grown raspberries."
Scurr said Tasmanian consumers, and particularly those local to the Orielton region, had embraced the berry offering and the farming business.
"Consumer feedback from the very first berry picked has been positive and the Orielton community has enthusiastically shown its support for the farm both as a local business and employer.
"At the peak of the harvest, we employed 25 people including a mix of locals and backpackers both in the field and the packhouse - and that number will increase in line with production over the next year."
The farm, which is connected to the South-East Irrigation Scheme, is expected to enter full production by 2024.
Managing director Gavin Scurr said key infrastructure including polytunnels and a high-tech packhouse were already in place to enable expansion plans. The packhouse features what is believed to be the only heat-sealing machine in Tasmania.
Planting for Tasmania's summer crop would begin in about September or when conditions were optimal, he said. The first harvest is now in its final stages.
"Raspberries have been harvested continuously at Orielton for the past six months and fruit quality and yield has exceeded expectations," Scurr said. "Given the farm was a greenfield site, there was a lot to make happen before the first harvest including the erection of wind breaks to protect the crop.
"Of Piñata Farms' raspberry growing regions, conditions at Orielton are the most like that of Europe where the varieties were bred. Therefore, the location is ideal for raspberry production and the result has been exceptional berry size and taste.
"We're very excited about the future of Tasmanian-grown raspberries."
Scurr said Tasmanian consumers, and particularly those local to the Orielton region, had embraced the berry offering and the farming business.
"Consumer feedback from the very first berry picked has been positive and the Orielton community has enthusiastically shown its support for the farm both as a local business and employer.
"At the peak of the harvest, we employed 25 people including a mix of locals and backpackers both in the field and the packhouse - and that number will increase in line with production over the next year."
The farm, which is connected to the South-East Irrigation Scheme, is expected to enter full production by 2024.
Raspberries produced at Orielton are distributed to selected Woolworths stores in Tasmania and Victoria.
Specialty BerryWorld strawberry varieties will also be trialled at Orielton during the next 18 months, Scurr said.
Specialty BerryWorld strawberry varieties will also be trialled at Orielton during the next 18 months, Scurr said.
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