Perfect packing for export profits

Published Thursday, 21 June, 2018 at 08:59 AM

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries
The Honourable Mark Furner

Fruit exporters in the Burnett now have a ready reckoner kit to ensure only the best produce is packed for shipment, allowing top quality Queensland mandarins to attract premium prices in export markets.

 

Speaking in Bundaberg, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the State Government had worked with industry to develop a series of guides for growers on how to best select and pack their products for export.

 

“This initiative came about in 2015 when market feedback highlighted a wide variance in the appearance and quality of Murcott mandarins sent to Asia, which was resulting in a spike in refund claims,” Mr Furner said.

 

“With funding secured under the Farming Together program led by Southern Cross University, we have worked with the Queensland Citrus Exporters Group (QCEG) and Citrus Australia to develop a fruit quality and appearance export standard, a visual interpretation manual, and lunchroom posters to be used for staff training purposes.

 

“The nature of the workforce means there is a high turnover each season, so there needs to be ongoing education of packing staff to achieve consistent standards.

“There are a couple of dozen enterprises in this region regularly exporting produce to Asian markets, so it’s important that we present a united front in terms of the highest possible quality and consistency.

 

“To make sure we’re getting it right, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will also monitor QCEG packing facilities over the next year to better define fruit grading interpretations, and identify areas where further improvement is needed to meet the guidelines set in the export standard.”

 

The Minister said export markets were critical to the future expansion of Queensland agriculture.

 

“Already more than half of Queensland’s agricultural and food output is exported overseas,” he said.

 

“With the world’s population continuing to expand the size of this export market will keep growing, and we need to ensure our products are the most desirable.

 

“Initiatives such as the packing guide, and the Growing Queensland’s Food Exports (GQFE) program, help us to position Queensland as a key export hub by supporting industry in building even greater capacity to send premium quality foods into new markets.”

 

For more information, visit www.daf.qld.gov.au.

Media: Brock Taylor 0427 018 178