NT DAF expands jujube research as Central Australia eyes new horticultural opportunities
The Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (NT DAF) is continuing to expand its jujube research program, with additional data now being collected on agronomy, tree performance, fruit quality and production practices specific to Central Australia.
With appropriate varietal selection, production systems, post‑harvest fruit handling and market development, jujube has the potential to become a profitable niche horticultural industry for Central Australia, supporting regional diversification and climate‑resilient agriculture.
Jujube - also known as Chinese date, red date, or Tsao, is native to China and has been grown for almost 4,000 years. Successfully grown in Australia for more than two decades with Western Australia and South Australia leading jujube producing states.
Chinese Jujube is well suited to Australia’s arid to semi-arid regions, particularly Central Australia’s hot summers, mild winters and well‑drained soils. Once established, trees demonstrate high resilience to heat and low water requirements, supported by a deep vertical root system.
NT DAF first established a varietal evaluation trial at the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) in 2018, assessing 3 varieties including Li, Chico and Lang. While this trial continues to progress, an additional trial has been established in the Western Davenport region by a commercial enterprise with technical support from NT DAF. Due to the distinct climates of the Western Davenport region, fruit from this site is expected to reach harvest maturity well before the Alice Springs crop.
Find out about horticulture or email shah.nawaz@nt.gov.au.
