For the first time in about two decades Australia's only citrus breeding program held a field day showing off new root stock and varieties that have taken more than 15 years to develop.

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Citrus breeder at the Bundaberg Research Station Malcolm Smith said the multi-million dollar program funded by governments, the industry and Horticulture Innovation Australia developed new varieties that are grown all over the country specifically for the lucrative export market.

"Countries like China, which are really important markets for Australian citrus, and a lot of other Asian countries they're really interested in fruit that looks good," he said.

"We make sure that all our selections have very smooth skin, very good colour, and you know with some mandarins they have a dimple at the top, what we call a neck ... Asian countries don't like that at all.

"To a lot of Australians they might seem like strange characteristics but that's what the market wants and that's what we breed for."

As the only program of its kind in Australia, it has to produce fruit that can be grown in warm and cold climates, and meets the shifting tastes of overseas markets.

The work from pollination to commercial availability can take as much as 15 years.

Queensland Regional Advisory Council chairman and grower Michael McMahon said orchardists were prepared to play the long game when it came to selecting varieties to invest in, and field days like the one in Bundaberg were helpful, but should not be the only source of advice for growers.

"It's very much like picking a race horse," he said.

"It's difficult and decisions shouldn't be made on just one day like this.

"You really need to come to days like this and get a feel for what you think might work and get some in the ground and try them but it's a long process."

He said responding swiftly to the changing tastes of the market when it takes decades to produce meant researchers, growers and industry bodies had to collaborate on the breeding program.

Citrus Australia's quality and market information manager Nathan Hancock said it was vital growers understood overseas trends when choosing new varieties.

"Even when they do decide on a variety it can take several years to develop up enough budwood and materials to plant," he said.

"Even from then it's another couple of years before the trees bear fruit and then you get your true market signal as to whether the consumer, here in Australia or overseas, actually likes the fruit.

"It's a big risk ... we try and provide opportunity for growers and the industry in general to see through the different forms of research and development more than just what they're seeing on their farm or in their day-to-day business practices but also what's happening around the world.

"They all add and build on the knowledge of the industry and we grow together."