Organisations to retain their distinct identities but will collaborate to strengthen and consolidate advocacy efforts
Ausveg – the peak body for the Australian vegetable, potato and onion industry – and the Australian Garlic Industry Association (AGIA) – the peak body for the Australian garlic industry – have announced a new strategic alliance for the benefit of all vegetable growers nationally.
The alliance is designed to further strengthen and consolidate advocacy efforts within Australia’s wider vegetable industry and facilitate sharing of expertise and resources to achieve positive outcomes for growers represented by the two organisations.
The alliance is the result of significant consultation between Ausveg and AGIA, and ensures both organisations retain their distinct status and identities, to continue delivering services and programs for their respective grower bases.
Ausveg chief executive Michael Coote said the agreement between Ausveg and AGIA was a welcome development and another step forward in the bringing together of similar but distinct horticulture industries.
“Coming off the back of Ausveg’s merger with Onions Australia last year, this alliance with AGIA is another opportunity to expand our advocacy to government, and other stakeholders, on behalf of the wider vegetable industry,” said Coote.
“There are growers producing variations and combinations of vegetables, potatoes, onions and garlic, so this alliance makes sense. By leveraging the expertise and experience of our two organisations, there’s a lot of potential to make more headway on the specific issues the growers we represent are facing, as well as the challenges confronting the wider sector.”
AGIA chair John Olliff said the strategic alliance was an opportunity to achieve mutually beneficial improvements for growers represented by the two organisations.
“Australian garlic growers are dealing with many of the same issues as growers in the wider vegetable industry, so this alliance with Ausveg is a logical step,” said Olliff.
“By joining forces, we can capitalise on the extensive advocacy programme already being run on behalf of vegetable, potato and onion growers, leverage the many resources and services, while also strengthening the voices and advocacy footprint of Australia’s garlic growers.”
The strategic alliance between Ausveg and AGIA will take immediate effect and is seen by both organisations as another positive step towards a more unified national vegetable industry, amid the many ongoing challenges facing the sector, and ahead of the 2025 federal election.
