APAL Quality Project moves to full transparency
From 8 April 2025, all users of the APAL Quality Hub will gain access to the Packhouse Performance Dashboard as the APAL Quality Project transitions to full transparency. This marks a significant step forward in providing industry-wide insights into fruit quality and supporting decision-making for growers and packers.
Enhancing industry standards
The APAL Quality Project was established to ensure that every apple and pear reaching consumers meets the highest standards, thereby sustaining and growing market demand. By providing industry-wide data, the program informs harvest decisions, marketing decisions and drives improved outcomes.
Fruit quality testing is conducted by Quality Associates, an independent agent that follows rigorous industry and retailer testing standards. The program measures key attributes such as Brix and Pressure, with all packhouses for which at least 10 pieces of a single variety have been tested each month included in the performance reporting.
The move to full transparency
The transition to full transparency was approved at a consultation meeting preceding APAL’s AGM in November 2024. Under this change, packhouse names will be published from April 2025, allowing high-performing packhouses to be recognised while also ensuring industry-wide accountability. This move underscores APAL’s commitment to continuous improvement in fruit quality.
Only approved APAL members with secure login access to the APAL Quality Hub will be able to view the quality data and packhouse performance dashboard. Access to this data requires agreement not to share it with third parties.
Supporting industry performance
The APAL Quality Program is designed to provide actionable insights for the industry. If a packhouse’s results consistently fall below specification, support is available through APAL Industry Services or local agronomists to improve fruit quality outcomes.
Comprehensive testing ensures that industry performance is assessed from the consumer’s perspective at the point of purchase. This data complements existing packhouse and retailer testing, giving growers a broader understanding of market performance.
What’s next?
A key measure of success for the program will be a reduction in the number of sampled fruits testing below specification for Brix and Pressure. Packhouses that received poor results in 2024 can use this information to refine their practices, with the aim of improving outcomes in 2025.
APAL will review 2025 performance data and, in consultation with the industry and the APAL Board, determine future directions for the program.
For further information, please contact APAL at [email protected].
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