Guide brings together the knowledge and experience of growers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts
Australian berry industry members gathered on 13 January for the launch of the Berry Good Practice Guide, funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments under the Storm and Flood Recovery Package.
The guide, developed by industry association Berries Australia, is designed to support Australian berry growers in adopting sustainable, responsible, and resilient farming practices in the face of a changing climate.
The guide was officially launched by New South Wales recovery minister and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, who acknowledged the significant economic contribution of the berry sector to the Northern New South Wales economy and its role as a major regional employer.
“The berry industry is a Northern New South Wales success story. The blueberry industry alone has increased in farm gate value from A$25mn in 2005 to A$507mn today, with around 80 per cent of blueberries being grown right here in Northern New South Wales,” Saffin said.
“With growth comes greater expectations from consumers, regulators, and the broader community. This guide brings together the knowledge and experience of growers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts to outline what ‘good practice’ looks like in today’s berry industry.”
“As with many other industries in this region, the berry industry has suffered in the face of natural disaster. It is so encouraging that the industry is not just thinking about recovery, but resilience in the face of future disasters, and I am delighted that the NSW Government has been able to support this initiative.”
Berries Australia director, Andrew Bell, said that while many growers are already leading the way, this guide provides a benchmark for others to follow and build on.
The guide covers practical steps across key areas such as site selection, agronomy, production systems, environmental management, labour practices, and community engagement. It will also provide a reference point for researchers, policymakers, local government, and the broader community seeking to understand the industry’s steps toward sustainability.
“Good practice is not static, and what is cutting-edge today will be commonplace tomorrow,” Bell said. “So, whilst we have a hard copy document for this first edition, we will be continually updating the online version.”
