We’re all doing berry well

Berries could soon emerge as an export crop in the Far North. An industry group said the value of raspberry and blackberry exports rose 100 per cent between 2016 and 2017.

BERRIES could soon grow as an emerging export crop in the Far North.

Hort Innovation announced the Berry Export Strategy 2028, aimed at boosting Australia’s global berry presence.

Hort Innovation trade manager Jenny Van de Meeberg said the value and volume of raspberry and blackberry exports rose by 100 per cent between 2016 and 2017.

“Australian berry sectors are in a firm position at the moment,” she said.

“Production, adoption of protected substrate cropping, improved genetics and an expanding geographic footprint have all helped put Aussie berries on a positive trajectory.”

FNQ Growers group president Joe Moro said berries were a growing market for the Far North.

“They’re an expanding crop, starting from a very low base. There were none grown in the area five years ago,” he said.

Mr Moro said any effort to boost exports for berries would benefit Far North growers.

“It would mean there’d be pressure taken off the domestic market, keeping prices steady and hopefully getting a premium for the export market,” he said.

Costa Group has berry farms across the country, including the Atherton Tablelands.

The majority of the blueber- ries grown by Costa are for domestic supply, with a small percentage of the crop going to export markets in countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Thailand.

General Manager of the Costa Berry Category David Jordan said they anticipated China as a growth area.

“The industry has been actively lobbying the Federal Government for it to prioritise access to both China and Japan, in order to tap into these lucrative markets, but disappointingly as yet no trade protocols have been developed,” Mr Jordan said.

“Australian growers continue to miss out to other countries which already have access for their blueberries into China, including Chile, Peru, Argentina and Canada.”

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