A renewed focus on building Australia’s vegetables exports has led to a new research project looking into innovative opportunities for Australian vegetable producers.
Representative bodies Horticulture Innovation Australia and Ausveg have funded research by Euromonitor International and compiled a shortlist of products and innovative packaging Australian producers could use to set their vegetables apart from local produce in Asian markets.
The shortlist includes vegetable snack packs, environmentally friendly compostable packaging and salad pots for home-growing, as well as QR codes on packaging with information on the provenance and variety of the produce.
“There are many opportunities for Australian horticulture to improve its exports and raise its international produce,” HIA CEO John Lloyd said. “One way to achieve this is by identifying key innovations that will add superior value to Australian produce.
“Furthermore, Australian growers will need to continuously adopt new technologies and other innovations if we are to achieve long-term competitiveness.”
The shortlisted products were specifically chosen for their commercial viability, as well as the innovative aspects that differentiated them from lower-priced, locally grown Asian produce.
“New infrastructural developments and the modernisation of grocery retailing channels, coupled with rising consumer affluence across Asia, will create a retail and operations environment more conducive to helping Australian growers benefit from the adoption of select vegetable innovations,” said Umesh Madhavan, the project leader.
Information on the shortlisted products, narrowed down to ten after assessing 40 global innovations, has been distributed to Australian growers and stakeholders.
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