AUSVEG Knowledge Hub: Insights for Australian Vegetable Growers

From January to November 2025, total export value eased by five percent, from $218 million to $208 million. Total export volume dropped by seven percent, with a decrease of about 12,000 tonnes, reflecting a more challenging global trading environment. Despite the drop in overall exports in this period, Australia’s top fresh vegetable export markets continued to show encouraging demand for safe and reliable Australian produce.

Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia were the leading five markets for fresh vegetable exports over the period. Together, these markets underpin the long-term export success of the sector. In 2026, AUSVEG will be leading a series of targeted trade missions into these key markets to further strengthen the presence of Australian fresh vegetables in-market and support growers in developing new commercial relationships.

Change in vegetable exports by destinations

TABLE 1. Source: Global Trade Atlas 2026

TRADE PARTNER	2024		2025		% 2024–2025
	AUD$	TONNES	AUD$	TONNES	AUD$	TONNES
Total fresh vegetable exports	$218,724,210	172,298	$208,166,173	159,684	-5%	-7%
Singapore	$41,485,870	20,210	$40,630,489	18,295	-2%	-9%
United Arab Emirates	$27,875,183	29,466	$28,164,606	29,280	1%	-1%
Malaysia	$21,271,472	17,967	$19,420,165	16,660	-9%	-7%
South Korea	$20,060,930	23,882	$17,095,325	20,195	-15%	-15%
Saudi Arabia	$10,484,983	12,345	$11,775,325	13,996	12%	13%
Japan	$9,468,891	4,666	$11,311,068	5,583	19%	20%
Hong Kong	$11,571,726	4,207	$10,742,206	3,778	-7%	-10%
New Zealand	$9,738,317	2,094	$9,322,320	1,969	-4%	-6%
Taiwan	$8,329,315	6,577	$9,061,500	6,579	9%	0%
Thailand	$12,614,539	12,481	$8,457,605	8,363	-33%	-33%

Singapore remained the largest Australian fresh vegetable export destination by value but saw a decrease in total export value by two percent, from AUD$41.4 million to AUD$40.6 million and a slight decrease in export volume to 18,925 tonnes. Total fresh vegetable exports to the United Arab Emirates remained at similar level compared to same period last year, with AUD$28 million in export value from the 29,280 tonnes shipped. Australian fresh vegetable exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 12 percent in value, from AUD$10.4 million to $11.7 million and export volume increased by 13 percent to 13,996 tonnes.

Japan has recorded substantial growth, with an increase of 19 percent in export value, from AUD$9.4 million to AUD$11.3 million, along with 20 percent in export volume from 4,666 tonnes to 5,583 tonnes (refer to Table 1).

Vegetable export by crop

Carrots, potatoes and onions continued to be the three largest export crops for the industry. Total carrot export value in this period has grown five percent from AUD$61.5 million to AUD$64.7 million and total export volume has increased by seven percent to 75,033 tonnes. Export value of potato has also increased by four percent from AUD$45.2 million to AUD$47 million, adding an additional 470 tonnes to the export volume. Celery exports have grown six percent in value from AUD$6.9 million to AUD$7.4 million, with export volume increased by four percent to 3,832 tonnes (refer to Table 2).

CROPS	2024		2025		% 2024-2025
	AUD$	TONNES	AUD$	TONNES	AUD$	TONNES
Carrot	$61,509,592	70,249	$64,742,921	75,033	5%	7%
Potato	$45,233,776	44,474	$47,087,271	44,944	4%	1%
Onion	$40,078,389	40,501	$21,074,037	21,797	-47%	-46%
Cauliflower & Broccoli	$15,656,575	3,238	$15,714,571	3,054	0%	-6%
Asparagus	$10,185,162	1,345	$12,131,918	1,492	19%	11%
Celery	$6,968,432	3,699	$7,386,684	3,832	6%	4%
Beans	$6,267,420	1,102	$5,974,076	944	-5%	-14%
Lettuce	$4,745,174	601	$5,703,234	764	20%	27%
Pumpkin	$4,800,052	2,798	$4,927,903	3,425	3%	22%
Spinach	$3,004,899	337	$3,499,787	408	16%	21%