Value of Aussie fresh vegetable exports increases to AUD$299m

Australian vegetable growers are experiencing growth in their exports, fueled by strong demand for locally-grown vegetables in key export markets and increased investment in export capabilities. Newly released trade data reveals a 6.6% increase in the total value of fresh vegetable exports to AUD$299 million in 2019.

Carrots remained the largest export product, constituting 34% of the total exported volume. Other key vegetable exports included potatoes, onions, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower, all maintaining significant export volumes in 2019. Onions, in particular, led the export growth, with the value of exported onions surging by 67% to AUD$40 million in 2019.

Tasmanian growers played a crucial role in the growth of onion exports, contributing a 91% increase in exports, primarily to European markets. Western Australian and South Australian growers also experienced substantial growth in onion exports, with increases of 67% and 47%, respectively.

Despite challenging trading and production conditions, the volume of Australian fresh vegetable exports continued to grow, rising by 5.4% to 230,000 tonnes in 2019. The top five markets for Australian fresh vegetables remained stable, with Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia (replacing Hong Kong) receiving approximately 53% of the export volumes.

AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development, Michael Coote, emphasized the industry's progress in growing exports, attributing it to the dedication of vegetable growers and the collaborative efforts of AUSVEG, Hort Innovation, and the wider industry. Coote highlighted the industry's resilience, especially considering that Australian vegetables, including onions, face challenges in a high-cost environment due to rising labor, electricity, and water costs.

Coote acknowledged the Vegetable Industry Export Program's role in supporting export growth. The program facilitated the development of export capabilities by bringing buyers to Australia, organizing outbound trade missions for growers, and providing export readiness training. Coote expressed confidence in the industry's ability to achieve the ambitious target of AUD$315 million in fresh vegetable exports by 2020, as outlined in the industry's export strategy. The focus remains on equipping growers with the skills and knowledge to meet the increasing demand for fresh, Australian-grown vegetable produce.