Horticultural Crops Within the irrigated areas of the Basin a large number of horticultural crops are grown. The primary crops are citrus, stone fruit, pome fruits, grapes and vegetables. The total area of the MDB devoted to the production of horticultural crops is 133 198ha (Murray-Darling Basin Resources 1997).

Oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and lemons are the major citrus fruits grown in the MDB. They are mainly grown in the Riverland in South Australian, Sunraysia in north-west Victoria and the Murrumbidgee irrigation areas in New South Wales.

Apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and prunes are the main stone fruits grown in the Basin. These are generally grown in the Murray Lands, Goulburn, Murrumbidgee, South Eastern, and the Darling Downs areas of the
Basin.

Apples and pears are the main pome fruits grown in the Basin. Apples are grown in the Central West, Murrumbidgee, Goulburn and the Darling Downs. Pears are mostly grown in Goulburn in Victoria.

Grapes are grown for fresh or table market, for drying and winemaking. The production of grape for drying is limited to the Mallee and the Murray lands particularly Sunraysia. Grapes for winemaking are generally produced in the Riverland in South Australia and the Mallee and Murrumbidgee areas.

A variety of vegetables for human consumption are grown in the Murray-Darling Basin. The vegetables include peas and green beans, cabbages and cauliflowers, pumpkins, carrots, onions, asparagus and tomatoes. The largest individual crop is potato with different varieties grown for table, freezing and other processing markets. Vegetables are grown in many areas across the Basin such as Robinvale, Griffith, South Australian Lower Murray, Cowra and Jugiong etc.

Content sourced from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission Resources Book by Peter Crab