Australian vegetable growers must be willing to adapt to a changing global retail environment to ensure it can increase production, improve profitability and compete in the world’s fresh produce market, according to AUSVEG Chairman Geoff Moar.

Mr Moar used his address at the Hort Connections Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner to announce that AUSVEG was leading the way in the creation of an agenda to promote and market Australian vegetables to the world, with the ultimate aim of increasing sales of vegetable products and securing the financial viability of the industry.

“It is imperative that we reflect on where we are as an industry and where we want to be. We must not only be the best in the world at growing fresh produce, but also the best in the world at promoting it to Australian consumers and customers all over the world,” said Mr Moar.

“The collaboration that has led to Hort Connections becoming the premier event in the Australian fresh produce industry is an acknowledgement that our industry is open to change.

“Over the next 12 months AUSVEG will be taking a leading role in working with growers, government and the wider industry in the formation of an industry-funded promotion and marketing program designed to increase sales of vegetable produce in Australia and key export markets.

“It is time the vegetable industry takes charge to ensure that it can capitalise on the genuine and unique benefits that our products can deliver consumers and society more broadly. The promotion of our produce to Australian consumers and the rest of the world is a critical step to further securing the viability of our industry for generations.”

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s vegetable and potato growers.

The Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner was attended by around 1,100 members of the fresh produce and floral industries and was the capstone event of Hort Connections 2017, the premier event in Australian horticulture.

Around 2,500 local and international delegates converged for the three-day event, which featured a trade show with over 200 local and global supply chain partners and presentations from the industry’s leading thinkers.

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au