Montague: A legacy of excellence in Australia’s fresh produce industry
With a rich heritage spanning three generations, Montague has become a symbol of knowledge, experience and passion in the fresh produce industry. Proudly Australian owned and operated, the company has been cultivating Australian fruit to serve consumers worldwide. From its humble beginnings as a small orchard in Narre Warren North, Montague has grown into a large-scale operation with a diverse range of services, thanks to the visionary leadership of its founder, William (Bill) Montague OAM, who established the company in 1948.
At Montague, collaboration and partnerships are key to success. The company works closely with an extensive network of apple and stone fruit growers across Australia, providing valuable services such as packing, distribution, cold storage and inventory management. This end-to-end supply chain process ensures that Montague lives up to its reputation as a true ‘field to fork’ company, maintaining quality from the orchard to the store and finally into the hands of consumers.
Krys Lockhart, Technical Manager and Field Services Manager at Montague, caught up with APAL to discuss various aspects of Montague’s operations and the broader apple industry.
Photo: APAL
Montague’s main focuses
When asked about Montague’s recent areas of concentration, Krys highlighted three critical points:
- Reinvigorating customer interest in the apple category: Montague aims to captivate consumers with new apple varieties that cater to a diverse range of tastes and preferences. By offering different apple experiences to various consumer segments, the company seeks to generate renewed interest.
- Navigating rising production costs: Like many industries, the fresh produce sector faces increasing costs throughout the supply chain, from fertilisers to transportation. Montague is diligently navigating these challenges to ensure continued growth and success.
- Securing long-term sustainable returns: Montague is dedicated to ensuring the financial sustainability of the business, laying the groundwork for prosperous growth in the years to come.
Photo: APAL
Recent harvest challenges
Discussing the recent harvest, Krys acknowledged that it posed challenges for Montague, as it did for other growers. However, the company managed to maintain its operations effectively. While the volume harvested was lower than initial estimates, the impact of hail was fortunately not as severe as in some other regions. Krys expressed optimism about seeing higher packouts on certain fruit lines, despite the season’s challenges
Current issues and mitigation strategies
Krys discussed several challenges currently faced by Montague, which include rising production costs, a shortage of skilled workers, decreasing consumption, and the difficulty in passing on cost increases. To address these challenges, Krys shared some strategies being implemented by the company.
“We are taking a proactive approach to tackle cost increases by seeking efficiency improvements and exploring cost-effective alternatives at every stage of the supply chain.”
“To address the shortage of skilled workers, we are aiming to standardise orchard systems and incorporate more equipment and technology. This step is intended to attract a broader workforce, including unskilled labour, and enhance their overall productivity.”
In response to declining apple consumption, Montague is introducing new apple selections that cater to a wider range of consumers. “The goal is to make apples more appealing to individuals who may not have traditionally shown interest in them.”
“However, the commodity nature of certain varieties, such as Granny Smith, Gala and apples sold as Pink Lady®, makes it challenging to pass on cost increases to customers. As a result, we are actively seeking innovative solutions to address this systemic issue.”
By implementing these strategies, Montague aims to overcome the current challenges and ensure a sustainable and thriving future for the company.
Photo: APAL
The future of apple growing in Australia
Krys spoke about the evolving future of apple growing in Australia, highlighting the need for greater standardisation in growing systems at the orchard level. This standardisation will enable easier adaptation to a changing workforce dynamic, creating higher percentages of orchard blocks suitable for unskilled labour.
“The unfortunate reality is that with the costs associated with developing new blocks at the moment we all can’t plant new blocks or renovate existing blocks quick enough over to new systems to really see direct impacts on our businesses.”
“At a retail level we need to continue to improve our offer to consumers and keep up with the different ways consumers do their grocery shopping, and also stay current with what is changing about what consumers find interesting when buying apples. The competition offered from other categories is immense and unless we all continue to improve the offer that’s out there in-store now, it will be difficult to arrest what is happening with apple consumption nationally.”
Challenges facing the apple industry
“Oversupply is the most significant concern. As 75 per cent of apple sales come from varieties without volume management, growers are vulnerable to market pricing. In full crop years, this can result in prices falling below the cost of production.”
Photo: APAL
Exciting technology at Montague
When discussing modern technology, Krys expressed enthusiasm for the potential of drones in bird prevention.
“Drones, coupled with netting, offer an innovative approach to safeguarding crops from birds, a solution particularly valuable in regions facing urban encroachment.”
Additionally, Krys highlighted ‘smart’ scanning platforms that provide detailed data for fruit counting and measurement.
“This technology empowers informed decision-making in orchard management, ensuring greater efficiency and productivity.”
Looking ahead
Montague’s dedication to innovation, quality and sustainability continues to drive the company forward in Australia’s fresh produce industry. Despite the challenges faced, Montague remains committed to providing the best possible products and experiences to consumers globally. With a strong legacy and a proactive approach to adaptation, Montague is well-positioned to shape the future of apple growing in Australia for generations to come.
We loved hearing Krys’ story and we’d love to hear yours! If you’d like to share your recent orchard experience with APAL, get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]. Keep an eye out for more grower stories told via our 2023 Grower spotlight series.
