ANFIC - ORCHARDING FOR THE FUTURE

The Australian Nurserymen's Fruit Improvement Company (ANFIC) is a National company made up of twelve progressive nursery members. The company was formed in 1983 and is now registered in all states of Australia. It was incorporated in NSW in 1984.

The objects for which the company is established are: "To undertake, promote and further the improvement, import and export of fruit varieties and rootstocks to the horticultural industry on its own behalf or on behalf of any member or non-member."

ANFIC is a non-profit company Limited by Guarantee and is prohibited by its Articles of Association, from distributing any income or profits to or amongst the company members. All members pay a subscription fee annually and this coupled with the small administration fee on protected varieties enables the company to complete its objectives. The companies' day to day operations are undertaken by the General Manager who is responsible to an executive board of five members. The executive is elected by postal vote at the A.G.M.

The company members travel extensively both within Australia and overseas to obtain suitable varieties from legitimate breeders and developers. At present licenses are held for varieties of Apples, Pears, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apricots, Grapefruit, Navel Oranges, Cherries, Feijoas, Walnuts, Avocados, Persimmons, Kiwi Fruit, Pineapples, Custard Apples, Bananas, Mangoes and a range of Stone, Pome and Tropical fruit rootstocks. A number of deciduous fruit ornamentals licences are also held. As an importer/exporter ANFIC holds licence agreements in ten major fruit producing countries.

ANFIC and all ANFIC members are members of the Nursery & Garden Industry Association of Australia (NGIA) and ANFIC is a member of AIGN (Associated International Group of Nurserymen). This company is a consortium of Nurserymen from Belgium, France, USA, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. It is the companies aim to facilitate the greater exchange of information on varieties around the world as well as offering access to varieties. The AIGN network enables new varieties to be managed and marketed on a global basis.

Production
ANFIC members are located in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia - giving a large variation in climates, soil types and fruit types. The company has 173.3hectares (440acres) planted to nursery and employs 150 permanent staff and in excess of 169 casual staff. ANFIC produces the following range and volume:

Pome fruit trees 235,000
Stone fruit trees 305,000
Citrus trees 125,000
Mango 10,000
Avocado trees 51,000
Persimmons 9,650
Olives 162,000
Nut trees 20,000
Tree rootstocks 294,000
Grapes 1,060,000
Other fruit 105,000
Ornamental units 154,000
Total 2,530,650

This places ANFIC as the leading producer of Pome and Stone fruit trees for the commercial grower in Australia as well as the leading producer of Avocado trees. ANFIC is a major producer of Australia's Persimmon and Olive trees.

ANFIC's move into Bananas and Pineapples demonstrates the company's diversity, flexibility and ability to recognise a need for change. New Banana varieties will have a different taste, be smaller and keep longer. Similarly the move into Pineapples is aimed at supplying the customer with a greater level of choice, providing red skinned fruit. To facilitate the development of these crops, two further nurseries are contracted to ANFIC as well as a Tissue Culture Laboratory.

Trees are produced as both bare rooted plants as well as potted plants with sales going to both the retail trade and the commercial grower.

New developments in the Australian Organic Fruit Production industry has seen certification guidelines requiring organic nursery production of fruit trees in addition to organic fruit production, ANFIC Nurseries have begun accreditation to supply organic fruit trees to this expanding industry.