The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) has unanimously elected managing director of Australian Produce Partners, Richard Clayton, as AFPA chair for 2025. He takes over from Piñata Farms’ Gavin Scurr.
The AFPA is made up of the largest growers in the fresh produce industry, representing half of the industry’s annual turnover. AFPA membership is at the CEO level of each of these businesses and advocacy from the AFPA covers a range of issues across horticulture.
The election has reinforced the AFPA’s agenda for 2025, supporting pragmatic sustainability solutions, enhancing technical market access to capitalise on growth opportunities in export markets, and improving industry’s access to a stable and productive workforce.
“I am honoured to take on the role of AFPA Chair and look forward to working with industry leaders, government and retailers to create a thriving future for Australian fresh produce,” said Clayton.
“My priority is to support growers by improving our sector’s viability while ensuring we continue to deliver quality produce to consumers at home and abroad.”
Clayton has been involved in the industry all his life and has expertise in growing, sales, logistics, ripening, and innovation and varietal development within the banana industry. He currently leads Australian Produce Partners, a fresh produce business that collaborates with growers across North Queensland to distribute and promote produce nationally and internationally.
“The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for industry, plagued by rising input costs while at the same time we are seeing an overall decline in the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in Australia,” said Clayton.
“These challenges coupled with ongoing pressure to make fresh food cheaper, changes to industrial relations, migration reform and new environmental sustainability reporting continue to put pressure on industry’s growth.
“Improving the business environment for industry will be key to supporting ongoing access to fresh and affordable food for Australian families. This means reduced red tape for industry helping to lower production costs, access to the right workforce at the right time and reaching more customers and consumers through improved export market access.
“I’m looking forward to leading the AFPA in 2025 and continuing to provide leadership on issues that are the most important for the future of Australia’s fresh produce industry,” he said.
