A GROUP of Australian vegetable growers is studying export opportunities, following the UK free trade agreement and negotiations with the European Union.
The group of 13 vegetable growers and industry representatives were travelling to Spain, the Netherlands and the UK over two weeks in early October.
They planned to visit trade shows, leading growers, equipment manufacturers, researchers and certification bodies.
The study tour is funded by industry contributions and an Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
It was organised by vegetable peak industry body AUSVEG.
AUSVEG national public affairs manager Lucy Gregg said a key goal was to understand compliance and commercial drivers in European markets to maximise trade outcomes.
“Understanding the social, economic and governance requirements in the EU and UK are critical to growing Australian vegetable exports to those markets,” Ms Gregg said.
“Consumers increasingly want to know the provenance of their food, and studying these markets will help growers tell the story of Australia’s high-quality produce more effectively.”
Lessons learned will assist the vegetable industry in other markets and domestically.
“Europe, and the UK in particular, is at the forefront of global consumer and regulatory trends when it comes to food,” said Ms Gregg.
“Many trends first observed in the UK are soon adopted in Australia and other global markets where Australian produce is sold.”
Tour participants will also have an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in sustainable farming practices from leading growers, researchers and technology providers in the Netherlands and the UK.
Information and lessons from the study tour will be communicated to the broader Australian vegetable industry by AUSVEG.
