Since 1993, Southern Cross University (SCU) has helped develop Australian tea tree oil into a globally competitive industry.
By working closely with our partners, AgriFutures and the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association, we have delivered economic and societal benefits for industry and growers.
Key outcomes:
- Decades of genetic and agronomic work consolidated into a state-of-the-art breeding management and evaluation system maximised gains in oil yield for growers.
- Improved genetic resource management including a seed and pollen bank and inventory tracking system.
- Implementation of rolling front plant breeding strategy allowing new seed stock to be released to industry every two years.
- Large controlled crosses program to make quicker gains.
- Delivery of new improved seed stocks to improve yields for new plantations.
- Quality assurance: SCU’s TGA-accredited Analytical Research Laboratory provides chemical profiling, certification, and quality assurance, supporting breeding, improved market access and premium pricing.
- Improved traceability to protect Australia’s “clean, pure” brand.
- Enabled research into diseases and pests to address current challenges for the industry.
Impacts:
- Significant yield improvement: Yields have increased threefold since the breeding program began in 1993 – from 100-150kg/ha to 350-450kg/ha.
- Economic benefits: Productivity improvements have contributed to $4.5 million in annual benefits to growers and a total annual production value of $38 million, with $35 million in export sales
- Quicker seed rollout: Breeding program success means new high-performing seed resources will be delivered to growers every two rather than every seven years
- Improved quality and quantity of product: With access to improved tea tree genetics, growers can deliver a consistent supply of top-quality oil, ensuring Australia retains its international market leader status – and brand integrity – in the face of increasing competition
- Regional development: The industry contributes approximately $45 million annually to regional economies in northern NSW and Queensland.
- Global leadership: Australia remains the world’s largest producer of tea tree oil, producing ~900,000kg annually.
- Market resilience: SCU’s integrated research and certification capabilities have enabled cutting-edge advances, helping to grow the industry, deliver premium pricing, and ensure long-term industry resilience.
Tea tree seedlings.