Exotic Fruits

The exotic fruit industry is expanding. Single desk marketing and cluster packing sheds are major initiatives that are successfully increasing economies of scale within the industry. Approximately 60% of the crops are now going overseas.

The major issues facing the industry are the dramatically different growing conditions in the wet tropics such as reduced hours of sunlight and flying foxes. Research has begun on smell and taste deterrents to limit the damage caused by flying foxes and also non-lethal adaptations of electricity grids. Nets are not seen as appropriate due to associated problems with shading and damage from storms and cyclones.

Papaya

In 2000 the price for papaya was high due to shortages in supply caused by extreme climatic conditions. The major issues facing the industry are lack of consistency and quality in supply of fruit and phytophera damage to the plants. Research is being conducted on new varieties with better eating quality, and the export market is being assessed.

Forestry Production

The Johnstone Shire is the site of a number of joint ventures such as share farming arrangements between landholders and the Department of Primary Industries which are legally binding agreements between the government and the landowner to grow timber resources for future needs. In the year 2000, there were approximately 60 hectares of Eucalyptus pellita plantations in the Shire, with these stands on a 18-20 year rotation. More recently, the private sector has expressed interest in the forestry sector and these companies are paying annuities to landholders for growing saw logs. The main issues for private forestry industry are the development of Mourilyan Harbour as a timber port, high price of land and the current land valuation system, lack of awareness of potential , lack of experience in growing and maintaining trees for timber, and cyclones and associated insurance costs.

Source: Johnstone River Catchment Management Association

Aquaculture

There are 22 individuals or companies undertaking aquaculture enterprises in Johnstone Shire as at December 2000. The total area under ponds is 276 ha.. Prawn farming is steadily increasing its production, primarily with the black tiger or leader prawn. The main constraint facing the prawn industry at present is the lack of black tiger brood stock which in turn has an effect on the timing of production which is sometimes out of sync with the timing of demand for the product. Production in barramundi farming is steadily increasing and currently the focus in the industry is diversifying, including 0.5kg plate size fish and fillet size fish. Overproduction in the past has caused some market problems. To date the industry has not faced any major disease problems. The industry has commissioned research into treatment pond systems and recirculation systems. The effect of the discharge waters from these operations on the immediate receiving waters and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef lagoon is a matter of concern for many in the Shire community.