As the peak industry body for the Australian apple and pear industry, APAL has led the development of the second iteration of the industry’s strategic plan.
“The first step in crafting the new strategy involved reflecting on the previous five-year plan and conducting a thorough analysis of the industry’s current challenges,” APAL chief executive officer Phil Turnbull said.
“It quickly became evident that several deep-rooted issues persist, many of which were identified in the 2018 strategy and continue to threaten the industry’s long-term sustainability and profitability.”
High production costs, over-reliance on the domestic market and inconsistent strategies with plantings and planning were just a few of the key factors identified, influencing the industry’s persistent challenges.
This, coupled with the impacts of the over-investment in packing facilities causing inefficiencies and under-utilisation, and the ongoing threats of biosecurity risks and import access pressures, continues to add weight to the industry’s future development and growth.
“Despite these challenges, clear opportunities for progress were also identified and celebrated as part of the strategy development process,” Mr Turnbull said.
An evolution of the pillars in the previous plan, the 2025-30 Industry Strategy features four key strategic pillars that shape the priorities and inform the APAL initiatives aimed at delivering real, measurable change.
The four strategic pillars are:
- Drive profit: Drive efficiency, productivity and value addition to maximise growers’ profit margins.
- Grow markets: Expand market reach (domestically and internationally) by focusing on consumer preferences and targeting export opportunities.
- Provide insights: Focus on analysing consumer insights, market trends and quality data to inform strategic decisions and enhance performance.
- Build capability: Improve human capital by providing training and development to industry is equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed.
“Growers, packers, industry leaders, retailers, government agencies and supply chain partners must actively contribute to driving this strategy forward,” Mr Turnbull said.
“By working together, making informed choices and staying adaptable, our collective commitment to continuous improvement will help secure a strong future for Australian apples and pears.”
Read the full strategic plan at: https://apal.org.au/2025-30-apple-and-pear-industry-strategy-a-roadmap-for-growth-and-progress/
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