Pomegranate Season

Pomegranate is in season in Australia in autumn and winter. In summer most Australian pomegranates are still developing on the tree but some northern crops will start to be harvested in late summer. If you see pomegranates in stores in early summer between November and December, they are likely imported from California as the pomegranate season in the USA is finishing.

Pomegranate season in Australia is in autumn and winter. The peak supply is usually in autumn, with most fruit harvested from late summer through to early winter.

Pomegranate is an autumn fruit in its natural climate, with optimal growth through the drier and warmer temperatures of summer. They prefer lower humidity and are hardier than other Mediterranean fruits like citrus, with the ability to endure some cooler temperatures.

Pomegranates are a perennial crop but trees can take up to five years before producing fruit. Once established, pomegranate trees are viable in most areas of Australia and can produce fruit for decades. Some varieties can even produce fruit for more than 100 years.

Wild pomegranate is native to ancient Persia, the region between present-day Iran and India. It is a large shrub or small tree well suited to subtropical growing conditions, and was domesticated heavily in Spain. In Australia this means pomegranates can be grown in most states.

Since commercial growing of pomegranates started in Australia in the 2000s the industry has been focused in South Australia and Victoria, but growers are appearing in Western Australia and other states. In South Australia pomegranates are in season from early autumn through to winter. In more humid climates fruit may be harvested a little earlier, even in summer.