CHAMPION Aussie swimmer Libby Trickett is ready to dive into the Australian table grapes season.
Trickett credits the slimmed down physique that allowed her a career comeback at the London Olympic Games last year to the Seven Day Grape Shape Healthy Eating Plan."As a professional swimmer we ask a lot of our bodies so to me, its important to be careful about what I eat,'' she said.
"Grapes are the perfect source of long-lasting energy and so convenient when you're on the go because you can take them anywhere and store them easily in a snap-lock bag.
"Our local growers are renowned for producing the highest quality table grapes, so now is the time to munch-a-bunch while there's plenty around.''
Australian Table Grapes Association chief executive Jeff Scott said consumers could anticipate cheaper grape prices this year with all signs pointing towards a bumper harvest.
"Growers around the country have experienced excellent crops this year with an abundance of superb quality, plump, full-bunched fruit packed with sweetness,'' he said.
"The outlook for February and March through to May is extremely promising with expectations that we'll be up in volume by 10-15 per cent on last year's harvest,'' Mr Scott said.
More than 2000 Australian growers produce about 125,000 tonnes of table grapes each year, with nearly half of the bounty sent to an increasing number of markets around the world, making grapes one of Australia's top horticulture exports.
Late season table grapes, which constitute 70 per cent of production, come from the Sunraysia region of Victoria and Western Australia.
