Australian vegetable exports have increase 5 per cent in terms of value in the 2015 financial year compared to the previous year, according to industry body Ausveg.
Exports grew from A$256m in 2013/14 to A$270m in 2014/15, driven largely by markets in the Middle East and Asia.
“Since 2013-14, Australian vegetable exports to Singapore and the United Arab Emirates have increased by 29 per cent and 24 per cent respectively,” Ausveg national manager of export development, Michael Coote, said in a company statement. “Overall, there have been increases in exports for key vegetable commodities, such as carrots, which experienced an export value increase of 10 per cent, and the cauliflower and broccoli category, where export value rose by 60 per cent.”
Coote said that Ausveg’s work to develop export markets has included bringing international retailers and wholesalers to meet Australia growers, as well as developing trade missions for Australia growers to go to in the Middle East and Asia.
“It is imperative that we build our export markets as this will serve to reduce pressure on the domestic industry which is already over-supplied with produce,” said Coote.'Australian vegetable growers have limited opportunities to increase their revenue streams in the domestic market. Developing export markets are a prime opportunity for growers to increase their profitability, where there is an increasing demand for premium quality produce.'
