Summerfruit market access and trade development project (SF19000)
What's it all about?
Beginning in 2021, this project is supporting the summerfruit industry to maintain and develop their export markets. All the work is designed to help growers in taking advantage of existing, new and emerging export opportunities, with key project activities including, but not limited to:
- Building export readiness and capacity
- Participating in trade development and market access activities
- Accessing up-to-date market intelligence and consumer insights
- Participating in the Taste Australia International Trade Program to build international relationships, business opportunities, and market understanding across key export countries including new, emerging and developed markets
- Building collaborative partnerships.
During the last six months, this project has seen the Australian summerfruit industry focus on industry engagement to address evolving industry needs. Key stakeholders involved in the engagement include growers, packers, exporters, processors, government agencies, the research community, in-market resources, and other service providers.
Through collaborative efforts, the following achievements have been made:
- 14,714 tonnes of summerfruit were exported up until April 23, 2023, representing a 10.7 percent decrease compared to the previous year.
- China emerged as the leading export destination, receiving 8,946 tonnes, which accounted for 61 percent of the total exports.
- Access to Vietnam was secured in March 2022, enabling trial shipments of 51 tonnes late in the season. In the full season of 2022/23, a total of 146 tonnes were exported.
- Market intelligence reports were regularly provided from China (weekly), Indonesia (monthly), and Vietnam (14 reports). Additionally, a single report on the Thailand market and a final report on the Vietnam market for the 2022/23 season were shared.
- Weekly and monthly export reports from Fresh Intelligence Consulting were distributed to over 180 growers and exporters.
- The Australian Summerfruit stand was set up and coordinated by the Trade Development Manager at the Food and Hotel Vietnam 2022 event.
- An establishment was created in the AusHub in Ho Chi Minh City, supported by the Australian Chamber of Commerce – Vietnam. Thu Nguyen was employed as the Summerfruit Industry Representative.
- A fortnightly 'Export Matters' e-newsletter was distributed to over 180 growers and exporters.
- The export Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) database was regularly updated and distributed to relevant stakeholders.
- Participation was ensured in trade and market access events, forums, and workshops.
During this reporting period, prior to harvest time, industry engagement has been a priority.
Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders the following have been achieved:
- Export levels being maintained at an appropriate level given the relevant production and export challenges.
- 17,488 tonnes of nectarines, peaches, plums, and apricots worth $79.33 million were exported during the 2021/22 season.
- Summerfruit exports to China was 67 per cent share of the season total recording 11,646 tonnes.
- 2022/23 Export Registration process conducted with 95 growers registered to export to China, Thailand, Taiwan or Vietnam. In excess of 2,600 hectares registered (compared to 2,702 hectares in 2021/22).
- Trade Mission to Vietnam by 16 summerfruit growers, packers and/or exporters.
- The ‘Summerfruit Global Market Trade Analysis 2021/22’ prepared by Fresh Intelligence Consulting.
This project is a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Summerfruit Fund