“The only issue we might have is some fruit size in some places, but generally it should be right,” Mr Mansell said.

“We need a good year this year to make up for last year and I think the crop forecast is up.”

Mr Mansell said he was thrilled that Japan had decided to allow Sunraysia fruit into its market without cold treatment for fruit fly.

“It’s going to give more opportunities for our region, they will certainly take more of our fruit than they have in the past,” he said.

“We’ve been able to get fruit in there before, but it’s had to be cold treated, which made it about $4 a case more expensive than fruit going from South Australia.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Saturday's Sunraysia Daily 2/5/2009.