Exports are essential to the long‑term viability of Australian horticulture. As industry output grows, diversification across markets, customers and channels is one of the strongest ways growers can manage risk, respond to change, and build resilient businesses.  

Export takes time. Scientific research, market access protocols, and trusted relationships often take years to establish, making early preparation critical. While this work doesn’t always deliver immediate returns, it underpins long‑term growth, profitability, and market confidence.  

At this year’s Impact Update, Mimi Doan, Head of Exports was joined by Joe Brigantti from Brigantti Farms, Dean Morpeth from Morpeth Farms and Marie Piccone from Manbulloo to discuss how export supports diversification, what export readiness looks like, and how Australian produce is positioned on the world stage.

Watch the full session

Impact Update export session featuring Joe Brigantti (Brigantti Farms), Dean Morpeth (Morpeth Farms), Marie Piccone (Manbulloo) and Mimi Doan (Hort Innovation)

Key takeaways

• Preparation is essential before entering a market: Understanding in-country conditions, regulations and consumer demands and expectations is critical to making a successful impact.  
• Know your numbers and your market: A strong grasp of pricing, demand, and market dynamics underpins successful export strategies.
• Get out and explore export opportunities: Attending study tours and events, building connections, and discovering new markets is a critical first step for growers looking to expand.
• Communication is key to long-term success: Once you’ve started in a market, continuing to communicate right across the supply chain is essential to building trust and long-term relationships.
• Take end-to-end responsibility for the supply chain: Managing quality, logistics and relationships across the entire export journey is critical.
• Learn from those already exporting: Established exporters are a valuable source of insights and are often willing to share experiences and lessons learned.
• Leverage cross-industry knowledge: Growers can accelerate their export journey by learning from other industries that have already navigated similar challenges.

Export success doesn’t start when produce arrives in the market - it starts well before that. Successful exporting depends on whether the product, supply chain and business are genuinely ready to succeed in the market and then once you’re in market creating repeatedly, reliably and profitably.  

Learn more about Impact Update 2026 here:  

• Productivity gains start with seeing what's possible
• Biosecurity preparedness front and centre at Hort Innovation inaugural Impact Update
• Inaugural Impact Update connects growers to future of industry investment