Australia’s vegetable industry is already reaping the rewards of a reverse trade mission held in Queensland during June.
Over 40 buyers and retailers from across Asia attended the event at the Cairns Convention Centre, with a number orders placed on the display room floor. Consignments for those orders are currently on their way Singapore and Taiwan, with Hayden Moore of peak industry body Ausveg applauding the willingness of all stakeholders to embrace new trade opportunities.
“The speed at which negotiations between Australian vegetable growers and international buyers have taken place has been unprecedented,” Moore explained. “The reverse trade mission has created unique and new opportunities for export-ready Australian vegetable growers, demonstrating to the wider industry how viable and profitable export can be.”
The trade mission proved extremely valuable for grower-packer-marketer One Harvest. The Queensland-based company’s new line of vacuum-sealed baby beetroot, Love Beets, received plenty of attention at the event, with one Singaporean buyer expressing particular interest in importing the product.“Value-adding and creating innovative new products are both key to accessing new export markets and making businesses more profitable,” Moore said.
The reverse trade mission was funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using money from the National Vegetable Levy, which was matched by a contribution from the Australian Government.Moore said it was a sound investment, considering the event provided a networking platform that has established long-term trade links.“Feedback suggests that 90 per cent of buyers will increase their purchase of Australian-grown vegetables after attending the reverse trade mission,” he said.
