More Australian farmers diversifying into coffee – BeanScene

The amount of coffee grown in Australia could rise according to Southern Cross University’s Tobias Kretzschmar, who says there are many farmers in the coffee-growing regions of Far North Queensland and northern New South Wales looking to diversify their crops.

Speaking to ABC Rural, Professor Kretzschmar, who is Professor for Plant Breeding and Genetics at the university, says avocado farmers are showing interest in incorporating coffee into their crops.

“One of the key drivers we’re realising is there’s been an overproduction of avocados in Australia,” he says.

“Traditionally, if you can grow an avocado, it’s pretty much the right climate and soil to be growing coffee as well, so that’s worth trialling.”

Professor Kretzschmar says there are also four varietals that have been identified as suitable to the Australian climate, with commercial farms now scaling production.

He adds Western Australia is also on radars as another potential region to grow coffee, in addition to the more established New South Wales and Queensland regions.

Check out Episode 1 of The BeanScene Podcast, with Head of the Australian Grown Coffee Association, Rebecca Zentveld.