The Vegetable Export Development Program is due for completion in June 2021 and has delivered significant benefits to Australian vegetable growers, with the latest independent reviews calculating the return on investment to be around $12 for every dollar. AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development Michael Coote provides an overview of the project activities and outlines the benefits the program has delivered to growers.
Export strategy
The Vegetable Industry Export Strategy 2020 was developed by agribusiness experts McKINNA et al. and encompasses seven target areas for investment to assist the industry in developing fresh vegetable exports.
The AUSVEG export program incorporates a number of these target areas for development and is tasked with the role of managing the implementation of the strategy.
The vegetable industry’s export growth target is a 40 per cent increase in value to AUD$315 million by 2020 – the industry was well on track to exceed this target until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced the industry’s capacity to export produce.
A big part of this success can be linked to the program delivered by AUSVEG, with its most recent independent review attributing $29.8 million in revenue benefits to growers as a direct result of the program in 2019, resulting in a net benefit of $27.5 million and a return on investment of 1,196 per cent.
About the project
The Vegetable Export Development Program is a four-year strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund, due to end in June 2021. Delivered by AUSVEG under the guidance of a project steering committee, the program aims to improve the capabilities and capacity of the Australian vegetable industry so that it can increase vegetable exports.
The program is delivered by AUSVEG and involves a range of activities, including:
- Export readiness training for growers looking to commence exporting and those looking to improve exporting performance.
- Market development activities including a combination of inbound and outbound trade missions to build growers’ understanding of export market supply chains and facilitate connections with international fresh produce buyers.
- Working with industry, Hort Innovation and government to prioritise market access for vegetable products.
The program is targeted at growers from across the export spectrum – from those who are taking their first steps into the export market to well-established exporters looking for more technical and targeted information and support.
Moving export training online
In addition to the project requirements, AUSVEG has worked with the broader industry to provide more resources and training opportunities for vegetable exporting growers to lift the export capabilities and improve understanding of the export landscape.
AUSVEG, in partnership with the Export Council of Australia (ECA), launched Export Fundamentals for Australian Fruit & Vegetable Growers: From Farmgate to International Markets in September 2020. This course is customised to the Australian vegetable industry to provide foundational training for growers to understand a broad range of topics relating to international trade for fresh produce.
For more information: ausveg.com.au