Summerfruit Australia Limited (SAL) is the recognised national peak industry body for Australia’s summerfruit growers. Since 1998 we have worked on behalf of growers of apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums across every production state, acting as the industry’s voice on a national and international level.

About Summerfruit Australia

Who we are

Summerfruit Australia is recognised by the Australian Government as the prescribed Peak Industry Body (PIB) for summerfruit growers. Our constitution recognises all levy payers as members, and we welcome wholesalers, retailers, farm input suppliers and other industry stakeholders to take part through supporter membership.

We work closely with researchers, government and supply chain partners to maximise profitability, innovation, opportunities and trade for our members.

Our guiding principle is simple:

What’s good for the industry is good for growers.

We support you to grow, sell and sustain​

How Summerfruit Australia works

What we do

SAL delivers government funded programs, advocacy and industry services on behalf of Australian summerfruit growers. Our work covers four core areas:

Advocacy and Representation

We represent summerfruit growers to government, regulators and industry bodies on the issues that matter most, including labour, biosecurity, water, market access and research and development.

Research, Development and Extension

We invest the summerfruit levy into R&D programs delivered through the Hort Innovation Summerfruit Fund, translating research into practical outcomes for growers at the farm gate.

Market Access and Trade

Through the Summerfruit Export Development Advisory (SEDA), SAL drives the industry’s export strategy, working on protocols, market access negotiations and trade development.

Industry Information and Resources

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SEDA

Summerfruit Export Development Advisory

SEDA is SAL’s dedicated export advisory committee. It guides the industry’s export strategy, coordinates market access priorities and oversees investment in trade development programs for Australian summerfruit.

SEDA works in partnership with the Hort Innovation Summerfruit Fund, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and international trade partners to open and maintain access to high-value export markets across Asia, the Middle East and beyond.

Who SEDA serves

  • Growers looking to enter or expand export supply
  • Exporters working across compliance, cold chain and market protocols
  • Government and industry partners shaping export strategy
Strategic priorities

Our strategic priorities are set in consultation with growers, industry partners and the Summerfruit Fund Strategic Investment Plan. Current focus areas include:

Read the Strategic Plan →

01

Biosecurity preparedness and pest management

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02

Market access and export growth

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03

Productivity and profitability at the farm gate

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04

Workforce and labour

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05

Consumer demand and marketing

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06

Industry sustainability and long-term viability

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Our team

Meet the Summerfruit Australia Team

Our small, dedicated team delivers SAL’s programs, advocacy and industry services on behalf of Australia’s summerfruit growers. We’re based across Victoria and work nationally.

Carrie Starkings
CEO
Jess Byrne
Industry Development Manager
Charlotte Brunt
Trade Development Manager
Caleb Van Beynen
Biosecurity Officer
Governance

SAL is governed by a board of directors elected by its members, for its members.

Summerfruit Australia is governed by a board of directors elected by members. The board is accountable to levy payers and operates under SAL’s constitution, setting the strategic direction for Australia’s summerfruit industry.

Dean Morpeth
Chair
Frank Frappa
Deputy Chair
Tim Grieger
Treasurer
Scott Dunk
Board Member
Tony Dugdell
Board Member
Scott Coupland
Board Member
Governance

Governance Structure

The SAL board is elected by members at the Annual General Meeting. Directors serve fixed terms and represent the diversity of Australia’s summerfruit growing regions.

Constitution

SAL operates under a constitution that recognises all levy payers as members. Supporter membership is also open to wholesalers, retailers, farm input suppliers and other industry stakeholders.

Committees

The board is supported by specialist committees including the Summerfruit Export Development Advisory (SEDA), the Summerfruit Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) and Finance & Audit.

AGM

Held annually. Members vote on board elections, receive the annual report and provide input on strategic direction.

Download our Constitution →

Travel Reimbursement Form →

Travel Request Form →

Corporate Reports

Summerfruit Australia annual reports, strategic plans and key governance documents.

Summerfruit Australia publishes its annual report, strategic plans and key governance documents here. These documents are part of our commitment to transparency with levy payers, members and industry partners.

Work with us

We’re a small team making a big contribution to the Australian summerfruit industry.

We don’t have any open roles at the moment, but we are always interested to meet interested parties. So fill out the form, and we will be in touch.