Michael McMahon of Abbotsleigh Citrus will head-up a new grower group aiming to boost citrus exports out of Queensland’s Central Burnett region.
McMahon will co-chair the new body alongside Jason Keating of the Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries (QDAFF), while Citrus Australia’s market development manager Andrew Harty will also offer guidance to the group, tentatively known as the Queensland Citrus Exporter Group.
The group was created after an export brainstorming exercise at Citrus Australia’s regional forum in February, and is currently working together to develop an action plan for the future.
The first meeting of the group was held in Gayndah on 1 May where members shared information on export market conditions and supply, discussed how export pricing could be compared under an ACCC exporter group exemption, and looked at options for setting grading standards for export varieties. A market review of Murcott mandarin prospects in the US market is another aim.
McMahon said the group plans to recruit new members to help progress these goals. “This is not a closed group,” McMahon explained. “We want as many growers who export citrus out of Queensland to join up. If you want to improve the viability of our export sector in this region, then please give your support – we believe a united front will help us in many ways to achieve better farm gate returns.”
QDAFF is supporting the initiative by allocating personnel to assist the start-up phase of the group, with the expectation that it will become self-supporting within the first year.“We will also be applying for grants and looking at many ways to keep the group well resourced,” McMahon added.
