It’s no secret that 2022 has been one of the most challenging years for many vegetable and potato growers around Australia, who have dealt with significant floods, increases to costs of production, the ongoing labour shortage issues and rising costs of living and inflation. To support growers through such a challenging and turbulent time, AUSVEG has been working hard behind the scenes to highlight the concerns of growers to political and government stakeholders and the broader supply chain, and deliver projects and services that directly help growers to produce healthy, high-quality fresh vegetables.

VegNET: Vegetable Industry Extension Program

AUSVEG partners with Hort Innovation and ten regional grower groups to deliver the VegNET national extension program for vegetable growers. The program supports ‘boots-on-the-ground’ regional development officers in key vegetable growing regions across Australia to support growers to become more productive, profitable and competitive. The program has completed its first year, with AUSVEG’s role to coordinate the national program and support regional development officers to best support growers in their regions on the issues that impact them.

Multi-Industry Export Program

In 2022, AUSVEG secured the 5-year multi-industry export program following the successful delivery of the vegetable industry export program from 2017-2021. This iteration of the industry’s export program will also involve growers in the onion and melon industries, marking a first for the vegetable industry in consolidating the delivery of export development training and services for multiple commodities, which improves efficiency and increases the delivery of the program to more growers. The program will also facilitate in-market activities to connect growers with international buyers and important trade stakeholders in the supply chain, as well as in-bound Reverse Trade Missions bringing international buyers to Australia to showcase our high-quality produce and foster business relationships.

Federal Government Engagement

AUSVEG was the first industry body to secure a meeting with the newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Senator Murray Watt at Hort Connections in June. This was a unique opportunity to provide the Minister with insight into the challenges facing vegetable growers and the broader supply chain, as well as raise growers’ concerns directly with the Minister responsible for our sector. AUSVEG maintains strong relationships with many MPs, such as Victorian Senator Raff Ciccone, who is heavily involved in horticulture-related issues, particularly around labour.

If you would like to discuss these or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact AUSVEG on 03 9882 0277.