Issue No 4, July 1995.

NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the Advice on Publications Available.

7. The Australian Native Food Industry

In the 200 years since white settlement, Australia has done little to develop an appreciation and demand for its unique edible plants and animals. There is now considerable potential for a substantial and sustainable industry based on the concept of a 'Creative Native Australian Cuisine'.

There continues to be great interest internationally in all things Australian. Australia enjoys a reputation for being a 'clean country' for the export of produce and for international tourism.

There are already many native foods which are routinely consumed. Most of Australia's fresh water and marine fish (and crustaceans) are native. Kangaroo, emu and crocodile have become popular foods in recent years, and there is an increasing range of native plant foods already commercially available, or capable of being developed commercially.

A small, but expanding, native food industry already exists. Specialty restaurants are thriving in Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne, and there is a proliferation of raw produce collection and distribution networks. To date, harvesting from the wild has been the principal form of supply. As interest has grown so too has demand, which now outstrips supply for many native foods. To meet this demand, and to reduce harvesting pressure on native plants and animals in the wild, there is a need to ensure supply through farming.

Because of this interest, Australia has moved quickly to establish an industry which is well managed and marketed, ensuring credibility and sustainable demand. Unfortunately, Australia has been slow to grasp the opportunities available. The macadamia, commercialised in Hawaii, the bluebush grown and exported by Israel and emus bred in the US are some of the examples of Australian native species being developed by offshore interests. Israel and US are conducting research in quandongs.

With time, the developing native food industry in Australia will be commercially viable and will supplement existing agricultural industries. In addition, it provides a vehicle for focussing recognition of the richness of Australian Aboriginal culture.

Critical Success Factors

Although the native food industry is expanding, and some landholders have commenced planting many of the familiar native species, the importance of a cautious and coordinated approach cannot be overstated. The industry must be market-driven. The viability of the industry, and more specifically the primary producers, will be placed at risk if the rate of production greatly exceeds market demand. For this reason, it is essential that the fledgling market must be carefully nurtured.

As for any horticultural industry, the need for a reliable supply of consistently high quality produce is paramount. For this reason, and for nature conservation reasons, it is desirable that the reliance on harvesting from the wild be phased out over a period of years for most plant species.

In addition, selection of superior plant genetic material from the wild, for the full range of intended end uses, will underpin the success of the industry. For this reason, genotype selection and ongoing plant breeding are high on the list of research priorities.

Other research issues include reliable methods of plant propagation, crop management systems, mechanical harvesting, postharvest handling and transport.

A significant threat to the industry is that of unscrupulous profiteering. Potential producers considering entering the industry should exercise caution if met with 'get rich quick' claims, as there are few examples of long-term successes in cultivating Australian native food crops. There will be a number of pitfalls along the way.

The activities of the Australian Native Produce Industries Pty Ltd include the propagation, cultivation, collection and processing of Australian native food plants and animals. A commercial plant nursery has been established at Renmark, South Australia, and is developing plantations on the River Murray near Paringa, South Australia. With the assistance of the South Australian Economic Development Authority, the company has moved its food processing factory from the Old Adelaide Gaol to export standard premises at Dudley Park in Adelaide. This has enabled the processing and packaging capability to be greatly increased.

There is a broad range of native plant foods which have potential for commercial development. The company has produced a list of species recommended for commercial growers and supplied through its nursery. As well, information is made available on the natural distribution of these species, their soil and climatic requirements, ultimate size, rate of growth, the likely lead-time before producing a crop, flowering and ripening times, estimates of yields under irrigated and dryland conditions and uses for the crops.

The company also markets the 'Red Ochre Collection', a range of thirteen native food plants for the home gardener and a range of all-natural gourmet products under the 'Red Ochre' brand. The Red Ochre Grill Cafe/Restaurant in Adelaide and the Red Ochre Grill in Cairns have been valuable market research and promotional tools for creative native Australian cuisine.

As would be expected in any new horticultural industry, there is a raft of important research issues to address. These include genotype selection, reliable methods of plant propagation, crop establishment and management systems, harvesting and postharvest handling. The company is endeavouring to undertake collaborative research with private individuals, other companies and government bodies.

Some of the species currently available include:

Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email: r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au

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originally created by: GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF