AUSVEG – the peak body for the Australian vegetable, potato and onion industry – and the Australian Garlic Industry Association (AGIA) – the peak body for the Australian garlic industry – are pleased to announce a strategic alliance, as the two organisations join forces for the benefit of all vegetable growers nationally.

The alliance will further strengthen and consolidate advocacy efforts within Australia’s wider vegetable industry, and facilitate the sharing of expertise and resources to achieve positive outcomes for growers represented by the two organisations.

The alliance is the result of significant consultation between AUSVEG and AGIA, and ensures both organisations retain their distinct status and identities, to continue delivering services and programs for their respective grower bases.

AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote said the agreement between AUSVEG and AGIA was a welcome development and another step forward in the bringing together of similar but distinct horticulture industries.

“Coming off the back of AUSVEG’s merger with Onions Australia last year, this alliance with AGIA is another opportunity to expand our advocacy to government, and other stakeholders, on behalf of the wider vegetable industry,” said Mr Coote.

“There are growers producing variations and combinations of vegetables, potatoes, onions and garlic, so this alliance makes sense. By leveraging the expertise and experience of our two organisations, there’s a lot of potential to make more headway on the specific issues the growers we represent are facing, as well as the challenges confronting the wider sector.”

AGIA Chair John Olliff said the strategic alliance was an opportunity to achieve mutually beneficial improvements for growers represented by the two organisations.

“Australian garlic growers are dealing with many of the same issues as growers in the wider vegetable industry, so this alliance with AUSVEG is a logical step,” said Mr Olliff.

“By joining forces, we can capitalise on the extensive advocacy program already being run on behalf of vegetable, potato and onion growers, leverage the many resources and services, while also strengthening the voices and advocacy footprint of Australia’s garlic growers.”

The strategic alliance between AUSVEG and AGIA will take immediate effect as another positive step towards a more unified national vegetable industry, amid the many ongoing challenges facing the sector, and ahead of 2025’s Federal election.

About AUSVEG

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body for Australia’s over 3,600 vegetable, potato and onion producers, who account for 3.6 million tonnes of vegetable production worth $5.8 billion in farmgate value annually. This accounts for one third of Australia’s $16.2 billion horticulture industry.

About the Australian Garlic Industry Association

The Australian Garlic Industry Association (AGIA) is a not for profit, member organisation overseen by a Board of elected growers. AGIA’s objectives are to promote, develop and strengthen the Australian garlic industry, encourage garlic growers’ market and learning opportunities, set Australian garlic standards through their annual Australian Garlic Awards program and to share up-to-date resources and information.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew MacDonald, National Communications Manager, AUSVEG
Phone: 03 9882 0277, Mobile: 0406 836 330, Email: andrew.macdonald@ausveg.com.au