Australians aim for higher UK profile

Australian producers were on hand to raise their profile at Fruit Logistica in Berlin last week, and plan to increase their exports to the UK.

Wayne Prowse, export manager for Horticulture of Australia, said although quantities the country exports are small, they had uncovered a premium market, particularly in the UK.

He said his company sells around 80 per cent of its plums and nectarines to the UK market and the market is growing. “In 2000 we exported only 150 tonnes, but in 2005, we will ship more than 1,000 tonnes.”

Prowse described the export of macadamia nuts as one of the success stories. The nuts have been sold in Europe for the past five years, with around 2,000 tonnes exported in 2004.