Vegetable Industry Export Program (VG16061) is a four-year levy funded project running from 2017 to 2021. The project has been designed to support implementation of the Vegetable Industry Export Strategy 2020, with outcomes and performance metrics relating directly to the strategy. The principal objective of VG16061 was to deliver a holistic market access and development program aimed at fulfilling the export aims and targets identified in the Vegetable Industry Export Strategy 2020 to create a strong export culture in the vegetable industry and assist the industry to develop a sustainable vegetable export sector.

There are five main workstreams encompassed within VG16061:

1. Export Readiness, Training & Education
2. Market Development
3. Market Access
4. Communications & Industry Engagement
5. Vegetable Industry Export Strategy Implementation

Key highlights of project delivery include:

• Export Readiness, Training & Education: Delivery of 11 export readiness workshops for 132 levy paying vegetable growers in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia. In 2019, the delivery of the export readiness training workshops was transitioned to an online e-learning platform for better uptake and outreach by aspiring grower-exporters. The online training course and its content were co-developed and launched by AUSVEG and the Export Council of Australia under the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Package Assisting Small Exporters Grant (PASE).
• Market Development (International Trade Events): Delivered 16 outbound trade missions across Dubai, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and China. AUSVEG hosted 77 vegetable levy paying growers at these international trade events and assisted in developing understanding of the local supply chain and distribution channels in these key export markets. Participation in international trade missions that were scheduled during 2020 and 2021 were postponed due to COVID-19 disruptions and travel restrictions.
• Market Development (Reverse Trade Mission): Delivered five Reverse Trade Missions in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. These missions included 119 international delegates from 9 export markets, visiting a range of horticultural producers, building understanding of export supply chains, developing knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and broadening knowledge on irradiation and cold treatment to meet phytosanitary market access requirements. Strong involvement in these programs by exporting growers contributed to building international relationships to foster direct supply contracts.
• Market Access: Submitted 10 market access applications to International Market Access Assessment Panel (IMAAP).
• Communication and Industry Engagement: Distributed 59 relevant industry e-newsletters with an open rate of over 70 per cent.
• Vegetable Industry Export Strategy 2020: The implementation of all activities identified in Vegetable Industry Export Strategy 2020 relating to VG16061 or AUSVEG were completed (See Appendix A for the Strategy Implementation Plan).