About Us
Our Industry
Establishing a reputation
The Australian truffle industry has established a reputation as world class in production, processing, and supply of high-quality truffles, to both domestic and international markets.
The first inoculated trees were planted in Tasmania in 1993. Australia’s first black truffle was harvested in 1999. In less than three decades our industry has become the fourth largest producer in the world and projections are for two-to-three-fold increases in truffle production in the next 10 years.
The success of Australian truffle farming has been a combination of focused tree husbandry, expert nursery and seedling inoculation techniques, shared knowledge, soils largely devoid of potentially competitive fungi species, and collaboration with international academic institutions and grower organisations.
In almost 30 years the Australian truffle industry has grown from a single truffle orchard in northern Tasmanian to an estimated 400 plus orchards across all States and Territories except the Northern Territory. Industry estimations are that 25-30 per cent of plantings are currently productive with several older farms considered at peak production. Annual plantings are increasing, and production regions are expanding.
Our Association
Vision and mission
The Australian Truffle Industry Association was incorporated in 2006 and is recognised as the peak body representing the industry in Australia. The genesis of ATIA was to create a national body to foster industry development, knowledge sharing, communication and engagement with government and stakeholders.
The ATIA committee comprised of twelve representatives as follows:
- Victoria (3)
- New South Wales (3)
- Western Australia (3)
- South Australia (1)
- Tasmania (1)
- Queensland (1)
Committee members volunteer their time and experience. Collectively the committee is representative of the complete value chain from paddock to plate locally and internationally.
Truffle production is now established in Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales. In November 2020, ATIA had 192 members across the states.
Vision
We aim to be the world’s most respected truffle industry and to make the Australian truffle synonymous with superior quality and clean credentials.
Mission
Our mission is to promote a collective culture of farmers, traders, and product makers, working productively and sustainably.
- Improving grower operations
- Growing the market for Australian truffle and truffle products
- Building effective partnerships
- Connecting with members
Our Key Objectives
Working towards our nation's success
- Represent all Australian growers as the peak body on state and national levels.
- Foster and encourage cohesion between growers and within industry stakeholders.
- Raise the profile of the industry and its products locally and globally.
- Support industry growth through critical research and development projects.
- Promote the development of national and international marketing initiatives.
- Continually engage government at state and federal levels to ensure industry growth.
- Foster industry-wide biosecurity initiatives to ensure industry protection.
- Facilitate conferences, workshops, and industry networking events.
Our Membership
Steady growth for our future
As a membership organisation, the Truffle Industry Association is providing a platform for grower and industry communication.
We have two classes of members; Ordinary and Associate members.
Membership of ATIA continues to grow steadily. ATIA memberships support the associations vital work in moving the industry forward for all growers and value chain stakeholders.
Our Industry Affiliations
Federal, State and Territory Relationships
Federal
- Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment (DAWE)
- AgriFutures Australia (AFA) (formerly Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC))
- Plant Health Australia (PHA) (plant biosecurity and custodians of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD))
- Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA)
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA)
State & Territory
- WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
- Department Primary Industries and Regions SA
- Department Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment TAS
- Department Primary Industries NSW
- Department Agriculture and Fisheries QLD
- Agriculture Victoria
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), WA
- ANU ACT
- Curtin University, WA
- University of New England, Armidale.
Our Strategic Plan
The Australian truffle industry has established a reputation as world class in production, processing, and supply of high-quality truffles, to both domestic and international markets. In less than three decades our industry has become the fourth largest producer in the world and projections are for two-to-three-fold increases in truffle production in the next 10 years.
Success and growth bring new challenges. As the Australian industry continues its steady development, there are immediate, ongoing, and longer-term priorities to be addressed in a logical progression. An evolving national direction is required so that industry can meet the increasing expectations of buyers and consumers while maintaining a superior product, expanding market reach, and sustaining high dollar value.
This strategic plan, for the next five years and beyond, outlines the priorities for the Australian Truffle Industry Association in meeting the challenges, supporting members and the greater truffle industry.