Asia Fruit Logistica preview: Australia

Australia Fruits

Australia Fruits will exhibit alongside producers Wandin Valley Farms and VFS Siciliano. The Australian fruit and vegetable exporter represents both brands, exporting stonefruit into Asia for VFS Siciliano from November through March and cherries for Wandin Valley Farms from mid-October through to February. This will be Australia Fruits’ 14th time at Asia Fruit Logistica. Managing director Joe Tullio says it’s always a great opportunity to showcase Australia Fruits. export and logistics services, including cold treatment and documentation as well as meet with existing and potential customers. “It’s a great time for us to talk to industry, meet with our existing long-term customers and explore potential new markets,” says Tullio. Following improved protocol access for Australia in Korea, Vietnam and Japan, Australia Fruits sees growth opportunities for Australian produce into Asia. “We are targeting growth in markets that have improved protocol access and looking forward to meeting people from these regions,” Tullio says.

Ausveg

Ausveg, Australia’s national peak industry body for vegetable, potato and onion growers, will exhibit this year alongside ten exporting Australian growers. The delegation will showcase a range of Australian vegetables, including carrots, onions, potatoes, brussels sprouts, celery, baby leaf salads, baby broccolini, pumpkins, swedes, shallots and more. Developing export markets is a key priority for Ausveg. The organisation works with exporting growers in Australia and international customers to provide skills and networks to supply international markets with high-quality fresh vegetables. Ausveg will continue to target Asian and ASEAN markets, with Singapore, the UAE and Malaysia remaining the top-three destinations for Australian vegetable exporters. “Asia Fruit Logistica serves as an important platform for Australian vegetable growers to connect with suppliers and buyers from around Asia and the world,” says Ausveg chief executive Michael Coote (pictured below). “Exhibiting at the show ensures our growers and members have market exposure to customers from Asia and around the world, as well as driving trade outcomes.”

WA Farm Direct

Australian marketer-exporter WA Farm Direct is set to highlight two of its premium fruit brands, Ondine flat nectarines and peaches and Soluna apples at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica. The promotion comes ahead of WA Farm Direct’s plans to launch the Australian Ondine stonefruit for export later this year, following successful trials at the beginning of 2024. WA Farm Direct works with selected grower partners to produce its Ondine stonefruit which the company says boasts a balanced “semi-sweet” flavour with vibrantly coloured skin and a distinctive flat shape that sets them apart. Ondine will be available throughout selected Asian and Middle Eastern markets from December 2024 to March 2025. Soluna apples are available in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, India, the Philippines and Middle East GCC from May to December.

N&A Group

N&A Group is set to showcase its range of Australian-grown fresh produce, from its family-owned and operated farms: Ardrossan Orchards and Sunland Fresh Fruit. The key categories include apples, stonefruit, avocados and mangoes. In addition to exclusive brands, N&A will also promote its range of licenced varieties including the Ondine flat series as well as Swing, Sunrise Magic and Snapdragon apples. In the past 12 months N&A has continued to cement its place as a leader in new variety development in Australia with a successful commercial season of Ondine flat peaches and nectarines. The group worked with WA Farm Direct to send the first-ever export shipments of Australian-grown Ondine flat peaches and nectarines into Asia earlier this year. N&A is building towards commercialisation of its exclusive sustainable apple variety Swing, with more plantings going into orchards this winter. The company has also invested in several sustainable non-plastic packaging offerings that will be on display at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica.

Biopac

Post-harvest solutions provider, Biopac, will launch a new modified atmosphere bag designed for table grapes at Asia Fruit Logistica this year. According to the company, the new solution, AgroLife Plus, extends the shelf-life of table grapes by keeping the oxygen and carbon dioxide at the optimum level, maintaining relative humidity and inhibiting decay causing microorganisms through its antimicrobial properties. The bags can be used for storage or transport and can replace the need for sulphur dioxide pads. Results from customers using the Biopac Map Bag with organic and conventional grapes have shown storage of up to four to five weeks depending on the grape variety. Perfection Fresh Australian producer-exporter Perfection Fresh will again showcase its range of premium proprietary lines at Asia Fruit Logistica including Calypso mangoes. Chief marketing and innovation officer, Luke Gibson says Calypso is well-loved for its unique pink blush, smaller seed, and firmer silky-smooth flesh. “Firmer flesh means the fruit holds up better to the rigours of the supply chain, ensuring it arrives in-store looking fantastic and has a longer shelf-life,” Gibson says. The vast majority of Perfection exports go into the Asian market including Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea. “We have our own VHT (vapour heat treatment) facility in Brisbane, Queensland so we can control the whole process of treating and shipping into Asia. This is the largest VHT facility in Australia, processing up to 9 tonnes of fruit per treatment,” Gibson says.

Budou Farms

This year marks the third year Budou Farms has exhibited at Asia Fruit Logistica. The grape producer-exporter will join the Australian pavilion for the first time and showcase a range of new varieties coming into production. Having an expanded varietal offering is set to extend the window of harvest for Budou Farms providing a pathway to expand into new markets across Asia. As part of these expansion plans, the company intends to launch new branding across its lines. “I think unique branding backed up with strong marketing and consistency in flavour makes a huge practical difference for customers and consumers,” says owner Enrique Rossi.

OzBlu

Australia-based agricultural company United Exports will showcase a series of its premium Ozblu blueberry varieties as well as its full range of innovative packaging options, designed to enhance the shelf-life and convenience of its products. In addition to its existing range, United Exports will introduce two new varieties: Ozblu Raquelle and Ozblu Olivia. Ozblu Raquelle is a late-season variety with a remarkable shelf-life, which has been stored for up to seven weeks in trials without compromising flavour, firmness, and size. Ozblu Olivia is an early-season variety with year-round production capabilities. Both varieties are currently undergoing development and initial trials. “We are thrilled to share our progress and innovations with fellow attendees,” says Roger Horak, United Exports executive chairman and founder.

Joya

For the first time, apple brand Joya will have a dedicated booth at Asia Fruit Logistica providing an exciting platform to unveil its refreshed brand identity and positioning. The update comes after a thorough strategic review and the commodity apple category. It features an updated logo and brand positioning to celebrate the sunny disposition and joy that Joya apples bring to the table. “Visitors to the Joya booth will experience firsthand the vibrant energy and revitalised image of the brand, embodying the essence of Joya apples,” says Philip Turnbull, group chief executive of Twenty Degrees and Apple & Pear Australia. “ This milestone marks a new chapter for Joya, as the brand continues to capture the attention of apple lovers with its exceptional quality and bright spirit.” According to Turnbull, Joya is known for its robust performance attributes and consistently great eating experience, offering consumers a crunch with every bite.

AustChilli

Australian farming and manufacturing business AustChilli has expanded its avocado convenience range AvoFresh this year with the launch of its new ‘Smashed Avocado’. The new product joins existing popular flavours to continue providing consumers with a way to enjoy avocado that is “always ripe and always ready”. “Smashed avocado is an incredibly popular Australian breakfast item that has gained worldwide popularity,” says Francisco Riesco, head of export sales. “On the back of the success of AvoFresh, we have had multiple customers ask us for a ‘plain’ option making Smashed Avocado the perfect addition to our line.” AustChilli will also launch its new Foodservice AvoFresh range with three products – Smashed Avocado, Hint of Lemon, and Guacamole - in larger, 500g packs. “Hospitality faces the same pain points as avocado consumers and our 500g range is the perfect solution to always ensuring customers are served perfectly ripe avocado, while reducing kitchen wastage,” Riesco says. AvoFresh has enjoyed double-digit growth in the Australian retail market and the company is continuing to expand its global reach, with products now on shelves in Thailand and Hong Kong. This is in addition to its existing presence across New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore. “We are proud to offer a solution avocado lovers around the world can always rely on.”

Pink Lady

Pink Lady will share its new brand positioning, specifically designed to build brand affinity and expand its customer base across Asia. The team has leveraged consumer insights, market intelligence and campaign experience to create the new brand which celebrates the vibrant, colourful personality of Pink Lady apples. “We’re excited to share insights into the Pink Lady brand’s value proposition with new and existing partners,” says Philip Turnbull, group chief executive of Twenty Degrees and Apple & Pear Australia (Apal). “The passion behind the brand, the strength of its global licensing network, the stringent quality controls, and the enduring power of the household name Pink Lady make it truly distinctive in the apple category.” Pink Lady has broadened its scope in Asia by entering a new management partnership with Goodfarmer to further grow the brand in the dynamic Chinese market. The Pink Lady booth will also host representatives from Apal’s newly launched commercial entity, Twenty Degrees, which brings together specialised expertise in IP protection, strategic marketing, brand management, quality assurance, compliance, territory management and licensing to promote the commercial development of branded fresh produce.