Australian Persimmon Industry Conference & Field Day
3-4 February 2026 | Toowoomba, Queensland
Registrations are now open for Australia’s premier persimmon industry event!
Join us for two days of learning, networking, and innovation at the Australian Persimmon Industry Conference & Field Day. This is the must-attend event for persimmon growers, industry partners, and anyone interested in this delicious, autumnal fruit.
What to expect:
Expert insights: Hear the latest recommendations on persimmon production and marketing from leading experts
Research updates: Darby Taguiam from Charles Sturt University will share findings from key research into Persimmon Dieback.
Field visits: Explore persimmon orchards in full fruit nearing harvest.
Networking opportunities: Connect with growers, researchers, marketers, and suppliers from across the country.
Whether you’re an experienced grower or just starting out, this event offers practical knowledge on growing requirements and industry trends.
This is event will be bringing together persimmon growers from across the country and is not to be missed.
If you are interested or new to growing persimmons this event offers you the opportunity to learn about the growing requirements for this delicious, autumnal fruit. Visit persimmon orchards in the South Australia’s Riverland and the Sunraysia district, NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Persimmon Research Block, and network with growers, researchers and other industry partners.
There will be updates on the current recommendations for persimmon production and marketing from an exciting list of informative speakers, including Dr Tahir Khurshid from NSW Department of Primary Industries. Dr Khurshid will be present throughout this industry event – updating the Australian persimmon industry on his research on varietal selection and clonal propagation of persimmons.
Other industry stakeholders, including marketers and product suppliers, are encouraged to attend.
Australia has successfully exported its first shipment of persimmons to Thailand under a new protocol negotiated by the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
The shipment left Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday, 25 March, on one of the few remaining flights to Bangkok, Thailand, following the grounding of many international carriers in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The safe arrival and clearance of the product in Thailand on Friday, 27 March marks a significant step forward for the persimmon industry and the entire horticulture industry, as the first shipment of any fresh produce from Australia to Thailand using chemical and heat free phytosanitary irradiation.
Queensland persimmon grower, Ross Stuhmcke prepares a consignment of his delicious fruit for a trial shipment bound for Thailand.
Queensland’s persimmon grower, Ross Stuhmcke, is blazing a new trail for the industry with this first shipment.
“It has been far from an ideal season, with the drought and then rain during harvest but we were very committed to making this happen. This is an exciting opportunity for the persimmon industry and all horticulture industries”.
Despite the persimmon industry’s size, it is paving the way for this new pathway into Thailand for Queensland and Australian horticulture.
Thailand imports around $23 million of persimmons each year – including from Japan and New Zealand. Persimmons are fat free, naturally high in fibre and a good source of vitamin C, which appeals to increasingly health-conscious Thai consumers. This protocol gives the Australian industry an opportunity to carve out a share of this market.
“What has been impressive with this trial is the real partnership between industry, government, the grower and the importer. All have played an important role in its success” Mr Stuhmcke said.
This achievement has involved strong collaboration from all levels of government, including the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Trade and Investment Queensland, Austrade, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as the private sector.
Chris Stillard, President of Persimmons Australia is hoping that the success of this shipment will lead to the protocol being extended to other states – current only Queensland persimmons have access to Thailand – as well as other categories of Australian horticulture.
“This is a positive example of state and federal governments working together in a cohesive manner to ensure the requirements of the protocol have been met at the farm right through to the importer in Thailand”.
“It has not been an easy task to achieve this first shipment, there are a lot of steps in the chain from the farm to the market. However, now that we have proven this pathway and with hopefully better weather conditions next year, we are looking forward to doing an extended trial in 2021”.
Australian sweet persimmons exported to Thailand under the new protocol were well received by supermarkets.
The shipment has afforded an opportunity to build relationships and expertise from the grower through to importer using a whole of supply chain approach to successfully export irradiated persimmons to Thailand.
“Phytosanitary irradiation has been growing in both regulated acceptance and use around the world as a safe, fast and effective alternative to other heat and chemical based processes,” says Ben Reilly from Steritech, the treatment provider.
“As markets seek fresher, higher quality fruit to meet increasing consumer demands, Australia has been a leader in the development and application of phytosanitary irradiation. It is being used to facilitate two-way trade between Australia and Thailand, expanding Australia’s export opportunities while also protecting them from foreign pests.”
With the fruit from this first shipment sold out shortly after arrival, it will also provide the industry with invaluable buyer and consumer feedback to assist with marketing of next year’s harvest.
For more information contact: Alison Fuss, Executive Officer, Persimmons Australia Inc, 07 4637 9925 or admin@persimmonsaustralia.com.au
This is event will be bringing together persimmon growers from across the country and is not to be missed.
If you are interested or new to growing persimmons this event offers you the opportunity to learn about the growing requirements for this delicious, autumnal fruit. Visit persimmon orchards in the Perth Hills and see how produce is sold at the markets.
There will be updates on the current recommendations for persimmon production and marketing. Amongst the new faces on the speaker list is Dr Tahir Khurshid from NSW Department of Primary Industries. Dr Khurshid will be present throughout this industry event – sharing his vision and enthusiasm for the Australian persimmon industry to be based on carefully selected and clonally propagated rootstocks.
Other industry stakeholders, including marketers and product suppliers, are encouraged to attend.
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development persimmon levy and funds from the Australian Government.
Australian Persimmon Industry Conference & Field Day 18th to 20th June 2019
Perth, WA
Interested or new to growing persimmons? This two-and-a-half-day industry event offers you the opportunity to learn about the growing requirements for this delicious, autumnal fruit. Visit persimmon orchards in the Perth Hills and see how produce is sold at the markets.
Established growers from across Australia will be updated on the current recommendations for persimmon production and marketing. Expect a speaker line up including a lot of fresh, new faces, including Dr Tahir Khurshid from NSW Department of Primary Industries. Dr Khurshid will be present throughout this industry event – sharing his vision and enthusiasm for the Australian persimmon industry to be based on carefully selected and clonally propagated rootstocks.
Other industry stakeholders, including marketers and product suppliers, are encouraged to attend.
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development persimmon levy and funds from the Australian Government.
A leadership program designed specifically for you – the grower – and delivered through a series of workshops.
Why?
The LEAD program gives you the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with leaders across a range of industries. You will develop practical skills to take back on farm and improve your business now, and into the future. You will build the vision, desire and tools to make a difference to your industry.
What topics will be covered?
The topics include, but are not limited to:
Crisis management
Effective lobbying
International trade
Workplace culture
Managing teams
Biosecurity
Decision making
Organisational governance and change
Who is involved?
The program is delivered in collaboration with a range of other industries apart from the persimmon industry – including avocado, banana, melon, strawberry, pineapple, lychee and passionfruit. You’ll be placed in a group that includes a cross-section of growers. Expert facilitators and speakers will present the content.
How is this program delivered?
The LEAD program involves two in-person workshops and four webinars.
The first workshop takes place in Canberra, and the second in Brisbane. To be part of the program, you will need to commit to both workshops.
When does it start?
Participants will be split into two groups. The first starts the program in July 2018, the second in October 2018. For further details, see ‘Where I can I find out more?’ below.
When do I need to register?
Registrations are open now and places are limited. Please complete and return the LEAD Registration Form
What does it cost?
The workshop is free and accommodation is provided. Participants will be responsible for the payment of travel, plus breakfast, one dinner, taxi fares and beverage costs.
Where can I find out more?
For more information on the program, contact Persimmons Australia Executive Officer Alison Fuss on (07) 4637 9925 or via admin@persimmonsaustralia.com.au
The LEAD program has been made possible through the Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to support Australian agricultural industry.
Persimmons Australia is proud to be hosting the 2017 Australian Persimmon Industry Conference & Field Day on 14th and 15th June 2017 in the Sydney Region.
Australian Persimmon Industry Conference & Field Day Wednesday, 14th & Thursday, 15th June 2017
Sydney Region, NSW
This two-day industry event offers those interested or new to growing persimmons the opportunity to learn about the growing requirements for this delicious fruit and visit persimmon orchards in the Sydney region. The program will also update established growers from across Australia on recent advances in research and management techniques to improve the productivity and quality of the crop, as well as domestic and export marketing trends.
Other industry stakeholders, including marketers and product suppliers, are encouraged to attend.
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development persimmon levy and funds from the Australian Government.
Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd. Persimmons Australia “Win a Tray of Aussie Persimmons” Promotion
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Information on how to enter and prize details form part of these Terms and Conditions (“Conditions”). Submission of an entry constitutes acceptance of these Conditions. Entries not completed in accordance with these Conditions will be ineligible.
The Promoter is Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd., Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000 (“Promoter”).
Entry is only open to Australian residents aged 18 years or over residing in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Hobart. Individuals must have a Facebook account in order to access the Promotion application and submit an entry (“Entrant”). Entrants must submit an entry in accordance with these Conditions.
Employees (and their immediate family) of the Promoter, related companies and agencies associated with the Promotion are ineligible to enter. Immediate family means any of the following: spouse, de-facto spouse, child or step-child (whether natural or by adoption), parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, sister, brother, step-sister, step-brother or 1st
Promotion takes place over three weeks in April 2015 as follows (“Promotion Period”)
Open Date/Time (AEST)
Close Date/Time (AEST)
Week 1
Monday 13 April, 9.00PM
Friday 17 April, 5.00PM
Week 2
Monday 20 April, 9.00PM
Friday 24 April, 5.00PM
Week 3
Monday 27 April, 9.00PM
Friday 1 May, 5.00PM
There will be six (6) winners and six (6) prizes to be given away in this Promotion.
Two (2) trays of persimmons to be given away per week during the Promotion Period. There will be two (2) different winners each week, both of whom will receive one (1) tray of persimmons. Winners will be announced by 9PM AEST on Saturday 18 April, Saturday 25 April and Saturday 2 May respectively for weeks 1, 2 and 3 of the Promotion.
Only one entry per person per week will be accepted.
To enter, the Entrant must complete the following steps during the Promotion Period:
Become a fan of the Facebook Page by clicking on the “Like” button (if not an existing fan of the Facebook Page);
Post a relevant and appropriate comment on the designated competition post on the Persimmons Australia Facebook page, answering the following:
Week 1: What is your favourite way to eat persimmons?
Week 2: What is your favourite thing about persimmons?
Week 3: Tell us why you need a tray of persimmons in your life.
If an Entrant does not provide the Promoter with all the information requested, the entry will be deemed invalid.
Each entry submitted and deemed appropriate by the Promoter, in its discretion, constitutes one (1) entry into the Promotion for the week in which the entry was received by the Promoter.
The winners will be the Entrants whose entries fulfil the entry criteria and whose answers are judged to be the most creative and original from all entries received in the relevant week. This is a game of skill. There is no element of chance in the judging of the Competition or determination of the winners.
The Promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence shall be entered into.
Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.
The Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to verify the validity of entries (including an Entrants age and residence) at any time during or after the Promotion, and reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant (and entries submitted by that Entrant) for tampering with the entry process, including but not limited to submitting an entry which is not in accordance with these Conditions.
If the Promoter is unable to contact a winner to arrange delivery of the prize within two (2) weeks of the relevant announcement date outlined in clause 6, that winner will forfeit the prize in its entirety. The Promoter will not be liable to a winner who cannot be reasonably contacted.
The Promoter is not responsible for receipt of incomplete, irrelevant or incomprehensible entries. All such entries will be deemed invalid. No responsibility is accepted for late, lost or misdirected entries. Any entry that does not comply with these Conditions will be invalid.
In the event that the prize(s) is (are) not available despite the Promoters reasonable endeavours to produce the prize(s), the Promoter reserves the right to substitute prize(s) of equal recommended retail value.
Entrants agree that they are fully responsible for the content of the entry they submit (Content). Entrants warrant and agree that: (a) they will not submit any Content that is unlawful or fraudulent, or that the Promoter may deem in breach of any intellectual property, privacy, publicity or other rights, defamatory, obscene, derogatory, pornographic, sexually inappropriate, violent, abusive, harassing, threatening, objectionable with respect to race, religion, origin or gender or otherwise unsuitable for publication; (b) they will obtain full prior consent from any person who has jointly created or has any rights in the Content, to the use of the Content and these Conditions ; (c) their Content shall not contain viruses or cause injury or harm to any person or entity; and (d) they will comply with all applicable laws and regulations including, without limitation, those governing copyright, defamation, privacy, and the access or use of others’ computer or communication systems. The Promoter shall not be liable in any way for Content, to the full extent permitted by law. Without limiting any other part of these Conditions, the Entrant indemnifies the Promoter for any breach of this Condition.
By entering the Promotion, each Entrant agrees to the Promoter using their entry idea and/or Content for printing, broadcast, publicity, commercial and promotional purposes without compensation and agrees that the Promoter will own all intellectual property rights, including copyright, in any such material and agrees not to object to any use of the Content or idea on the basis of any moral right.
Certain legislation implies warranties or conditions or imposes obligations upon the Promoter which cannot be excluded, restricted or modified or cannot be excluded, restricted or modified except to a limited extent. These Conditions do not exclude or limit the application of any statutory provision where to do so would contravene that statute or a cause any part of these Conditions to be voided.
In the event of war, terrorism, state of emergency or disaster, the Promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion subject to any written directions from a relevant Regulatory Authority.
Entries are deemed to be received at the time of receipt as indicated on the Persimmons Australia Facebook page. The Promoter is not responsible for receipt of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information caused by an Entrant or occurring during transmission. The Promoter is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone, telephone or computer network, or lines, servers, or telephone or internet providers, traffic congestion on any phone or computer network, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participants or any other persons’ handset or computer related to or resulting from participation or sending or receiving of any communication or of any materials in this Promotion.
If for any reason this Promotion is not capable of running as planned, whether caused by computer virus, mobile phone failure, line drop out, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other cause beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or integrity of the Promotion, the Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion, (subject to any written direction given by a relevant Regulatory Authority), to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion.
Failure of the Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights.
Entry and continued participation in the Promotion is dependent on Entrants following and acting in accordance with the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, which can be viewed at facebook.com/terms.php.
This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. Entrants understand that they are providing their information to the Promoter and not to Facebook. The information an Entrant provides will only be used for the purposes outlined in these Conditions. Any questions, comments or complaints about this Promotion must be directed to the Promoter and not to Facebook. Facebook will not be liable for any loss or damage or personal injury which is suffered or sustained by an Entrant, as a result in participating in the Promotion (including taking/use of a prize), except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
Aussie fruit lovers are in for an incredible autumn with the glorious golden glow emanating from orchards across the countryside signalling the return of one of Australia’s best kept secrets – the persimmon.
Excellent growing conditions fuelled by lashings of sunshine and ample water supplies, thanks to previous wet seasons, have paved the way for a bountiful crop of quality fruit with high sugar levels, excellent flavour and a strong shelf life.
One person impatiently anticipating the harvest of the yellowy-orange orbs is Poh Ling Yeow, persimmon-lover, presenter of ABC’s Poh Lends a Hand, best-selling author and MasterChef all-star.
“Despite the fact that persimmons have been grown here for decades, many Aussies are yet to try this exotic fruit, so this season I’m challenging everyone to be adventurous and give them a go. Persimmons truly are the perfect addition to your autumn eating agenda offering an almost indescribable subtle, sweet flavour and fantastic textures to boot,” she said.
Poh said she grew up eating sweet persimmons, which are best devoured crunchy and firm like an apple, but now also enjoys the original variety, which is ready for eating when the flesh is soft, jelly-like and sweet.
“I think the best way to enjoy persimmons is fresh. I like to peel and quarter the sweet type as it’s a brilliantly clean, tasty and healthy snack. With the original, I love to tear or cut away the calyx, or the top, then scoop into nature’s little bowl of ready-made, sweet, silky jelly.”
“Persimmons also make an amazing addition to salads, adding a delightful crunch and sweetness, and team well with strong cheeses, bitter leaves and nuts. Soft, gooey original persimmons or sweet ones that have gone beyond their firm stage are also great for cooking – just pop them into a cake or muffin mix for an autumnal update to your traditional baked goods,” Poh said.
Along with their flavour credentials, persimmons have double the dietary fibre of apples, are high in anti-oxidants and are an excellent source of Vitamin C and beta carotene.
Original persimmons have been grown in Australia for almost 150 years, most commonly as a decorative tree in domestic gardens, and are known for their large, heart-shaped silhouette and colour, which ranges from pale orange to deep red-orange.
In contrast, the sweet persimmon is round, with a diameter of around 10cm, and has a slightly flattened top. Introduced around 40 years ago, this variety now comprises around 90 per cent of production.
Approximately 2500 tonnes of persimmons are harvested Australia annually with the bulk of fruit grown in Queensland. Other key growing areas include coastal New South Wales, the Goulburn and Murray Valleys in Victoria and South Australia as well as some areas of the south west corner in Western Australia.
