The Vegetable industry leadership and development missions undertaken in 2019 provided Australian vegetable industry members with exposure to the latest in vegetable and horticulture production practices and technologies employed by their international counterparts in Europe and the United States. Emerging leaders visited innovative growing operations, research facilities and agribusinesses, plus attended some of the world’s best international fresh produce industry events.

The missions included:

• Tour 1 – European Industry Leadership and Development Mission – Berlin Fruit Logistica
• Tour 2 – USA Industry Leadership and Development Mission
• Tour 3 – European Industry Leadership and Development Mission – Agritechnica

The groups witnessed the large scale of horticultural production across key growing regions around the world, providing a clearer insight into industry nuances, production practices, new technologies and the issues growers face in those countries.

Participants said that the mission allowed them access to farms and businesses they would be unlikely to see on an individual level, gaining a stronger understanding of how the vegetable industry is progressing and how consumer demand is being acknowledged and met.

The European itineraries included international industry events Berlin Fruit Logistica and Agritechnica, providing the Australian growers insight to the latest in global technologies and innovations, high-tech protected cropping and robotics, and opportunities to network at industry events.

Participants expanded their local and international networks, broadening their knowledge and understanding of the vegetable and wider horticultural industries, and building strong and long-lasting business relationships that results in valuable information being shared for the benefit of the Australian industry.

The missions gave participants more confidence to take up leadership positions and play a direct role in advancing the future of the Australian sector. It inspired participants to review the strategic direction of their businesses and investigate operational improvements, at the same time identifying new ideas and technologies for implementation in Australia.

It is expected that the participants will continue to share their acquired knowledge of vegetable production processes and developments with colleagues throughout the Australian industry.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund