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Opportunities are developing for Australian growers to meet demands for both import substitution and exports of bamboo for edible shoots and timber, Professor David Midmore says in his report Bamboo for Shoots and Timber.
Professor Midmore, of Central Queensland University in Rockhampton, analyses bamboo's current commercial situation in Australia and export potential based on a producers' workshop in Brisbane late last year and two three-year RIRDC research projects, one of which has been extended until the year 2000.
The report says although bamboo is currently a high investment crop in Australia with little financial return in the first few years, potential producers are keen to evaluate the management requirements and economic viability of the crop.
Professor Midmore says because of Asia's growing population and finite limits to sustainable agricultural expansion, it is timely to review opportunities in Australia to fill expanding niches within Asian and local markets for traditional "Asian" products such as bamboo.
Bamboo is a giant grass species with a hollow-jointed stem that naturally colonises a broad range of environments from high-rainfall equatorial climates to sub-tropical and temperate zones with harsh winters.
People, particularly in Asia where most species predominate, have traditionally used bamboo for building, paper and food. One species, Bambusa arnhemica, is endemic to Australia, and customarily played a role in Aboriginal tradition.
Professor Midmore says a small number of private and government bamboo collections have been established in Australia in recent decades, and a few species favoured for their shoots and timber in Asia have been successfully planted out in commercial numbers in Australia this decade. Most edible shoot species also produce reasonable or good quality timber.
He says opportunities exist within Australia for both import substitution and export of edible bamboo shoots. Local demand was valued at $6 million for about 4000 canned tonnes in 1992 but imports are estimated to have doubled since then to about 8000 tonnes annually because of the increase in Asian residents and visitors to Australia.
"Currently shoots are known to be harvestable over a six-month period in Australia, capitalising on the seasonality of shoot production among species," he said.
"Gross calculations with yield estimates of 15 tonnes a hectare would suggest that edible shoots from 250 hectares would be required to substitute for half of the estimated 8000 tonnes of shoots imported annually.
"Extended seasonal availability, through improved production and post-harvest practices, could justify an even greater planting to satisfy local demand of edible shoots over an extended annual time frame," he said.
Professor Midmore says rudimentary analyses of overseas opportunities for fresh edible bamboo shoots show scope for replacement of canned imports to Taiwan and Japan, capitalising on the counter-seasonal advantage.
"Landed prices of $4 a kilogram for Taiwan and $4-$6 minimum for Japan would be competitive with local and other imports," he said. "Peak requirements for special festivals, such as the Chinese New Year, and gains from the clean green overseas image of Australian agriculture, can open further scope for exports."
Professor Midmore says opportunities for bamboo for timber are less clearly defined and skewed by the enormous demands in India for bamboo pulp for papermaking. However, considerable quantities of processed and raw bamboo culms are imported into Australia.
He says the current project examining the performance and choice of bamboo species for Australia is making encouraging progress. The project is looking at research advances, successful new product development, pitfalls to be avoided, proposed research and development programs and establishment of a national industry development association this year.
The project, which finishes in 2000, follows two research projects funded by RIRDC in 1994 to enhance the competitiveness of an Australian bamboo industry through product research, business planning and export orientation. The three-year projects were centred on south and central Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The report Bamboo for Shoots and Timber is available from RIRDC for $10, plus $4 postage and handling. Phone 02 6272 4819 to order.
Contacts:
Professor David Midmore, phone (07) 4930
9770, fax (07) 4930 9255
RIRDC Communications, phone (02) 6272
3186
