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.

Food Supply Chain Alliance

AUSVEG has increased its collective advocacy efforts in 2022 to ensure that vegetable growers’ issues and concerns are considered in broader agricultural advocacy efforts by the supply chain. AUSVEG is a member of the Food Supply Chain Alliance, which represents over 160,000 businesses with a revenue of over $224 billion. The Food Supply Chain Alliance has been active in the media, particularly ahead of the Jobs and Skills Summit in September where it highlighted the 172,000 worker shortage throughout the supply chain. The Alliance has also commenced talks with several Government and Opposition Ministers to develop a National Food Supply Chain Strategy to ensure the industry is ready and able to deal with the future challenges that will impact the sector.

Fruit & Vegetable Consortium

AUSVEG has been heavily involved in collective advocacy with the health, nutrition and agriculture industry to fund and develop a national behaviour change strategy that will lift vegetable consumption. AUSVEG is a founding member of the Fruit & Vegetable Consortium, and was involved in the development of a KPMG report that highlights the issues regarding vegetable consumption in Australia, which have deteriorated further as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote took part in an expert panel discussion at the launch, saying that initiatives to boost vegetable consumption cannot happen in isolation, and require cross-sectoral support to drive meaningful change.

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