EconSearch Completed Project

Project: Assessment of Economic Cost of Endemic Pests and Diseases on the Australian Grape and Wine Industry (2010)

Client: Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation

Collaborators: Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services

Summary: The broad aim of the project was to detail the development and application of a consistent method for calculating up-to-date estimates of the economic impact of a subset of key winegrape pests and diseases in Australia.

Based on the assumptions and data presented in the report, the top three winegrape pests and diseases in Australia, in terms of industry-wide economic impacts are:

Powdery Mildew ($76m/annum in 2009 dollars);
Downy Mildew ($63m); and
Botrytis and Other Bunch Rots ($52m).

These three diseases account for approximately 76 per cent of the industry-wide economic impact of the 13 pests/diseases included in the analysis. By accounting for uncertainty in the results it was demonstrated that the ranking of these top three diseases may vary from year-to-year.

The results of the analysis are a necessary but not sufficient basis for identifying winegrape pest/disease research priorities. For example, whilst there are some pests and diseases for which the average industry wide impact is relatively low, the potential impact of a widespread outbreak is very high (e.g. Phylloxera).

The project was a collaborative work between EconSearch Pty Ltd and Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services Pty Ltd with a review role undertaken by a panel of experienced industry representatives.

Report: To access the GWRDC website and the executive summary click here.

To access the GWRDC website and the full report click here.

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