Tasmania Australia cherry cherries orchard flowering

Tasmanian fresh produce exporters could benefit from direct air freight access to Asia

The Australian government has committed A$38m (US$28.08m) to Tasmania’s airport redevelopment and is investigating the viability of a direct airfreight service to Asia.

In addition to the A$38m, Hobart International Airport is investing A$2m in extending the runway 500m and increasing the airport’s passenger and freight capacity.

Federal member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson believes the redevelopment could provide a boost for Tasmania’s food producers, with both large and small exporters benefiting from a potential direct airfreight service to Asia.

'There is the opportunity there if we can provide these links, to not only be supplying the Farm Gate Market in Hobart or the Harvest Market in Launceston, but you've effectively got a farmers market in Asia as well. I think that's the exciting thing for smaller and medium scale producers,' Hutchinson told ABC Rural.

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