Workshop targets growing fresh produce exports to Asia

Making Queensland’s fresh produce exports the first choice of importers and retailers in Asian markets is the focus of a supply chain workshop held today in Brisbane. 

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the Toward Consistent Export Quality workshop provided a valuable opportunity to build Australia’s horticulture reputation in Asia.

“During the 2018-19 financial year, Queensland exported more than $300 million worth of fruit and vegetable produce including mangoes, citrus and avocados to Asian markets,” Mr Furner said.

“Product quality and supply chain service are two advantages that Queensland and Australia can build on to maintain our competitive edge in the Asian market.

“The ability to continually deliver quality produce to importers, retailers and consumers is fundamental to growing our export markets in Asia.

“Learnings from today’s workshop will potentially open opportunities to enhance the reputation of Queensland produce exporters to consistently deliver high quality, fresh products to Asian retailers.”

Mr Furner said the Toward Consistent Export Quality workshop was part of a larger three-day Serviced Supply Chains project workshop.

“The workshop has attracted 80 horticulture fresh produce exporters and service providers from Queensland and interstate, key representatives from several research and development supplier and funding organisations, and specialists from Asia,” Mr Furner said.

“They have focused on better understanding the challenges faced by Australian and Queensland horticulture exporters and outlining potential solutions being investigated within the Serviced Supply Chains project led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

“Being able to tap into such a large pool of expertise will significantly improve horticulture food quality and safety and enhance Queensland’s export performance.

“Ultimately, this translates into more job opportunities throughout Queensland.”

Mr Furner said horticulture and increasing exports were priority research and development areas within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

“The Palaszczuk Government has also invested $1.3 million into the Growing Queensland’s Food Exports (GQFE) program to assist food companies to build their business capability to take advantage of opportunities to grow exports,” Mr Furner said.

“The 13-month GQFE program has already borne fruit for some Queensland growers.

“For example, an ongoing GQFE project is evaluating the potential to seafreight Lockyer Valley vegetables to Japan and, recently, five strawberry export trials to Macau, Hong Kong and Jakarta provided a detailed analysis of the supply chains.

“The intelligence gained from those trials on key competitors, consumer insights and the development of export specifications will be vital to growing new export markets.”

The Toward Consistent Export Quality workshop resulted from the “Serviced Supply Chains” export project with collaboration between the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Agriculture Victoria, The University of Queensland, Hort Innovation, the Chinese Academy of Science, the Federal Government, Manbulloo Ltd, Montague Pty Ltd and Glen Grove Orchard Pty Ltd.

ENDS

Media:             Ron Goodman            0427 781 920