Demand for Australian broccoli in Japan continues to grow, with the state of Queensland expected to triple its exports of the vegetable in coming years.
Trade & Investment Queensland has said the growing exports of broccoli have injected A$1m into the Darling Downs region, creating 25 part-time jobs.
“With broccoli exports to Japan set to triple over the next two seasons, as well as expanding markets and rising demand in both Singapore and Taiwan, it is projected that an extra 40 part-time jobs will be created in new production areas on the Darling Downs and more than A$6m injected into the regions,” said Queensland deputy premier and minister for trade and investment Jackie Trad.
“On average, Japan imports 36,000 tonnes of fresh broccoli each year. Australia’s national production is at only 50,000 tonnes, so there is a very large export market for broccoli and other vegetables in Japan.”
Trad said Trade & Investment Queensland was working with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), and Horticulture Innovation Australia, to grow the state’s horticulture exports to Japan, aided by the reduced and in some cases eliminated tariffs of horticulture products under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, the low Australian dollar and drought in the US, Australia’s key competitor.
Queensland minister for agriculture and fisheries Leanne Donaldson said leading Japanese importer Union was in Queensland in May to visit broccoli growers, and is looking to expand into other fruit and vegetables lines as well.
“DAF is planning a trade mission to Japan and Taiwan in June to build on the success of the broccoli exports, and expand into new products such as cos lettuce, cabbage, packaged salads, nuts and celery,” Donaldson added.
