Mission accomplished: Aussie veg to hit Asian plates
Containers of world-class Australian vegetables have left for Singaporean and Taiwanese shores, following the industry’s most successful Reverse Trade Mission in June, involving over 40 leading Asian buyers and retailers.
A fresh produce display at the Cairns Convention Centre allowed visiting buyers to sample Australian growers’ produce, with many negotiations taking place on the display floor.
“The speed at which negotiations between Australian vegetable growers and international buyers have taken place has been unprecedented,” said AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development, Hayden Moore.
“The Reverse Trade Mission has created unique and new opportunities for export-ready Australian vegetable growers, demonstrating to the wider industry how viable and profitable export can be.”
AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.
The 2014 Reverse Trade Mission was an industry-funded project designed to facilitate networking opportunities for Australian vegetable growers and provide them with the tools to allow them to export their produce overseas.
“Feedback suggests that 90 per cent of buyers will increase their purchase of Australian-grown vegetables after attending the Reverse Trade Mission.”
“This is a fantastic outcome for the Australian vegetable industry,” said Mr Moore.
In one example, a leading Singaporean buyer has recently expressed their interest in importing Love Beets – a new line of vacuum-sealed baby beetroot produced by 2014 Innovative Marketing Award winner, One Harvest.
“Value-adding and creating innovative new products are both key to accessing new export markets and making businesses more profitable,” said Mr Moore.
In the coming months, AUSVEG and Horticulture Australia Limited will continue to ramp up export opportunities for vegetable growers, with stands at Asia Fruit Logistica, Agritech Japan, and World of Perishables Dubai trade shows. The stands will highlight the research and development (R&D) activities that have allowed for Australian growers to produce amongst the best vegetables in the world.
“It is vital that the industry continues to communicate the R&D which ensures Australian vegetables are safe and of high quality to international buyers and retailers, and to demonstrate these facts first-hand with the produce itself,” said Mr Moore.
The 2014 Reverse Trade Mission was funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy with matched funds from the Australian Government.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Hayden Moore, AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development.
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0408 132 503, Email: hayden.moore@ausveg.com.au.
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0408 132 503, Email: hayden.moore@ausveg.com.au.