participants

The Australian Dried Fruits Association Inc.

The Australian Dried Fruits Association (ADFA) was formed in 1907 as a federation of the Mildura Dried Fruits Association and the Renmark Raisin Trust.

The formation of this body was to provide the organisation necessary to regulate the flow of dried fruits from the hands of producers, through processors and marketers, into the hands of buyers.

The success in the operation of the Association can be attributed to its vertical integration of the industry with growers, processors and marketers, being members of the board.

The ADFA represents the interests of all dried fruit growers in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. The Association provides a forum for discussion and decision making on all matters relating to the conduct and management of the Australian dried fruits industry, and represents the industry to all outside parties including government. During the 1990s the dried fruits industry suffered a decline due to the boom in the wine industry and the higher returns being offered. In response to this threat the ADFA commissioned a report on the industry and its structures with the view of increasing returns to grower and stabilising the decline in the industry.

The adoption of the outcome of the review has resulted in returns increasing and halting the decline in tonnages dried. This proactive response by the ADFA, with the backing of industry stakeholders, illustrates the cooperative environment fostered by the ADFA.

Major projects that the ADFA is involved in currently are the implementation of an industry standard quality assurance program and the development and adoption of mechanised systems for the production of dried fruit.

Website: www.adfa.asn.au