Fruit, veg and nut exports hit record high

THE world’s appetite for Australian fruit, nuts and vegetables has skyrocketed, with Australian produce exports reaching almost $2.8 billion for the first time – a 27 per cent increase on the 2017-18 financial year, according to new data.

Global Trade Atlas figures show interest in Australian horticulture exports have steadily grown, with the latest year-on-year value figures showing the highest increase yet. Australian nut exports have cracked $1 billion in value while table grape exports surpassed the half-a-billion-dollar mark, reaching $555 million – a 45 per cent increase on the 2017-18 financial year.

The trade value for almonds alone reached $675 million, making it the most valuable export crop with a year-onyear growth of 53 per cent, and fresh vegetable exports also grew 18 per cent over the last financial year and are now valued at $321 million.

Hort Innovation head of trade Dianne Phan said these figures demonstrated not only the investment made by the industry, the government and Australian growers, but also the determination of homegrown producers to globalise their high-quality produce.

“We have worked incredibly hard together with industry, the Australian Government, our growers and our international trade partners to build demand for our premium produce in an increasingly competitive international market,” she said. “As a result of in-market initiatives under the Taste Australia brand, consumer research projects and trade events, Australian horticultural produce has never been more popular, particularly in Asian markets, Europe and the Middle-East where consumers enjoy highquality products.”