New data: A spotlight on exports to Asia

Many industries prioritised aspirations to grow consumer demand in international markets to support farmgate returns in their Strategic Investment Plans. Robust consumer and market insights underpin that objective. Hort Innovation has a dedicated unit that is charged with collating data to provide insights into global trade dynamics and identifying opportunities and threats for Australian horticulture. Here’s some of the latest data: 

In 2021/22, total Australian horticulture exports to Asia grew by 3.3 per cent to $2.1 billion. Key Asian markets were: 

1. China (34 per cent) – valued at $710 million 
2. Japan (8.8 per cent) – valued at $186 million 
3. Vietnam (7.9 per cent) – valued at $167 million 
4. Hong Kong (7.3 per cent) – valued at $154 million 
5. Singapore (6.4 per cent) – valued at $136 million 
6. Indonesia (5.7 per cent) – valued at $120 million 
7. India (5.5 per cent) – valued at $117 million 
8. Thailand (5.3 per cent) – valued at $113 million 

The top four commodities Australia exported to Asia in 2021/22 were: 

1. Almonds: 77,482 tonnes valued at $485 million 
2. Table grapes: 105,283 tonnes valued at $432 million 
3. Citrus: 215,129 tonnes valued at $400 million 
4. Macadamias: 23,250 tonnes valued at $264 million 

Hort Innovation is currently investing more than $58 million into initiatives that support Australian horticultural trade across four areas: 

1. Market development: Increased market awareness, understanding and trust of Australian horticulture product attributes. 
   
   
2. Export capability: Improved decision-making through targeted data collection and analysis of consumer trends, channel requirements, competitor positioning and product trait analysis to identify market opportunities. 
   
   
3. Market access: Increased industry ability to fulfill phytosanitary, food safety, chemical residue and other technical requirements of market access. Minimise risk of trade disruptions and increased understanding of the latest R&D solutions to fruit disorders, defects and quality improvements. 
   
   
4. Collaborative partnerships: Raised awareness of premium Australian produce in trading partner countries, expanded communication channels between Australian and export market players, potential consumption barriers captured and potential Australian horticultural industry ambassadors promoted.