Two industry bodies are pushing to increase the value of Australia's vegetable exports to $315 million by 2020.
Horticulture Innovation Australia has developed a strategy with Ausveg which outlines methods for helping more growers export Australian vegetables to overseas markets.
Hort Innovation chief executive John Lloyd said vegetables currently make up around five per cent of national export production for horticulture.
However, he believes the figure could rise significantly through relationship building, working with industry to get the produce export ready, and boosting supply chain efficiencies and overseas activities.
“With all the necessary mechanisms in place, the Australian vegetable industry could increase its exports by 40 per cent within four years, and close to double exports within the next decade,” Lloyd said.
Ausveg national manager of export development Michael Coote said data from the Global Trade Atlas and the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Australia exported around 210,000 tonnes of vegetables valued at $227 million this past financial year.
In comparison, the strategy outlines an industry target of 310,000 tonnes of vegetable exports by 2020.
“The development of these markets is critical to the long-term viability of the industry,” Coote said.
“The strategy will ensure vegetable exports are treated as a long-term channel to market by delivering industry-specific export training programs for growers, increasing the range of opportunities for growers to connect directly with overseas buyers, and exploring product development and collaboration opportunities to determine the best products or business models for export success.”
