Australia confirms grapevine virus in table grapes

Australian authorities have confirmed for the first time the presence of grapevine berry inner necrosis virus, known as GINV, in table grapes in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia’s Riverland, raising new biosecurity concerns for an industry that depends on clean plant material and careful tracing of vine stock.

The virus affects grapevine growth and fruit quality. It can slow spring growth, delay budburst, alter leaf color and pattern, and reduce yields in infected vines. In Australia, it has so far been detected only in table grapes, but industry groups say it could also threaten wine grapes, rootstocks and dried grape varieties if it spreads further.

Growers in the Riverland said they had seen symptoms years before the official detection. Adam Knoll, who manages table grape production for Sun World in Mildura, said he first noticed restricted spring growth in his vineyard about five years ago. He said commercial testing at the local level did not identify the cause, which led his team to seek help from international researchers before alerting authorities.

Officials said they do not yet know how GINV entered Australia. They believe it may have been present for years before being identified because infected vines can show no symptoms. That makes the virus harder to track and raises questions about how widely it may already have spread.

South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions said the virus was first flagged in October 2025 after it was identified as new to the country. Nick Secomb, the department’s director of plant and invasive species biosecurity, said GINV is not a declared pest in South Australia, unlike other high-priority pests on the national list. He said the lack of published data on the disease has made it difficult to assess its spread and impact.

Vinehealth Australia said there is no known cure for infected vines and that eradication is not possible. The group said the virus can spread through infected propagation material such as cuttings and grafts, as well as through blister and bud mites. It also said laboratory testing is the only reliable way to confirm infection.

The organization said it is still unclear whether GINV will have a major effect on wine grape quality, yield or wine production. But Knoll said some susceptible table grape varieties could face severe losses. He estimated that in vines that are intolerant to the virus, yield reductions could reach about 90%.

The detections have also prompted concern among growers who say they were not informed quickly enough. Ian McRae, a member of the Riverland Vine Improvement Committee, said he had heard rumors weeks earlier but had only recently received official communication. He said growers need clearer guidance on how the virus will be managed and how widespread it may already be.

PIRSA said it chose to notify the industry now because the virus had been confirmed in South Australia and officials believed growers needed to know. The department said some vines found in the Riverland showed no symptoms, which complicates efforts to understand where the virus is and how long it has been circulating.

Vinehealth Australia has urged vineyard owners to maintain farmgate biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of spread through equipment, plant material and movement between properties.