Australia's vegetable industry is being given new insight into the sorts of vegetable-containing products being launched overseas thanks to new research.
The latest findings of Project Harvest, a monthly tracking survey of Australian vegetable consumption and global product trends, show some companies are examining uses beyond consumption, according to Ausveg.
According to the research, 2756 new products containing beans, carrots, cauliflower and pumpkin have been released both overseas and within Australia in recent months.
Though the the bulk of new product launches were food items, a range of more unusual offerings came to light in the findings, including carrot-based face cream, according to Ausveg.
Globally, 1,845 products launched contained carrots as an ingredient in the three months preceding the release of the latest report.
In Australia, 35 products launched that contained carrots were launched, including new lines of vegetable stock, sauces, baby food and ready-to-go meals.
A total of 608 products containing pumpkin as an ingredient were launched globally in recent months, with 21 product launches in Australia.
Seasonality and Halal were popular claims on packaging of new products containing French and Runner beans in the Asia Pacific, which Ausveg says may provide some ideas for growers looking to export to that region.
“The information coming out of this study enables the Australian vegetable industry to keep abreast of international developments in the competitive world of vegetable product innovations,” Ausveg spokesperson Tamara Ungar says.
“Not only does the data give growers insight into global trends, it can act as a tool for the industry to compare and develop within the Australian context and for export,” Ungar says.
The research has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.
