The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an uncertain start to the year for levy-paying vegetable grower-exporters.

Market closures, supply chain disruptions and air and sea freight services being ceased or heavily reduced are examples of some of the challenges exporting growers have faced in the first quarter of 2020.

Vegetable exports have continued during the first quarter of 2020 as the COVID-19 crisis worsened.

According to data from Global Trade Atlas, the total value of vegetable exports for the period from January to March 2020 was $59.5 million, a decrease of 8.7 per cent from the corresponding period in 2019.

As AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development Michael Coote reports in this article, which is featured in the Vegetables Australia – Winter 2020 magazine, there are numerous factors affecting vegetable exports during COVID-19.

Click here to read the article, which provides a comprehensive overview on the situation surrounding primary vegetable export markets.