Staff at retailers across Asia are soon to undertake innovative training through a new platform being launched by Australian growers through Hort Innovation.

The Aussie Oranges eLearning platform, developed under the horticulture trade banner Grown in Good Nature, takes about 10 minutes to complete. Users will garner information about Australian citrus varieties and health benefits, handling, storage and display tips.

The platform will be displayed for the first time at Asia Fruit Logistica, which begins in Hong Kong today. Hundreds of buyers and retail representatives will have the chance to interact with the E-Learning module at the Grown in Good Nature stand.

When retailers enter into a partnership to sell Australian oranges, they will be provided the e-learning module for staff, with incentives for teams to participate in the training, such as giveaways.

Hort Innovation trade development manager Troy Agosti said the resource will arm supermarket and grocery chains with an engaging tool to educate staff and consumers about Australian produce.

“We were hearing from retailers that they wanted to know more about the right way to care for Aussie produce, including the temperature it should be stored at, taste differences and how to encourage customers to try it,” he said.

“So we worked with growers and training providers to come up with a fun, innovative way to engage retail staff and give overseas consumers the best possible buying and eating experience.”

The Aussie Oranges platform will be rolled out through retailers in Mandarin, Japanese and Thai languages in the coming months, followed by Aussie table grapes and avocado versions this year.

A number of other attractions will feature on the Grown in Good Nature horticulture industry stand at Asia Fruit Logistica this week, including a customised Aussie Avocados arcade claw machine offering plush avocados for skilled users.

Visitors to the stand can also sample high-end guacamole and avocado olive oil, along with fresh Aussie orange juice created through a mechanical squeezer.

Importers from across Asia will also have the opportunity to speak to horticulture industry representatives from across Australia at the event, providing growers the chance to get more produce into key markets for consumers to enjoy.

According to the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook, Australia exported close to 420,000 tonnes of fresh fruit in 2021/2022 at a value of more than $1.2B.

Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit Research and Development Corporation for the $16B Australian horticulture industry.