Growing market access for Australian horticulture

It’s been a huge 12 months for horticultural market access with DPI-developed data packages supporting export of 5 mango varieties to Japan and the first Australian avocados on the shelves in India.

We’ve also launched a new initiative in this period, that aims to support the Australian government to maintain existing and develop new market access, and ensure Australia’s horticulture exports arrive in top condition and pest free.

The Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) is an 8-year, $130 million program led by DPI with co-investment from Hort Innovation, government departments and universities across Australia.

“We’ve brought together more than 80 collaborators, including industry, commercial operators and researchers,” said DPI General Manager Lynne Turner.

“We will work together to deliver the data needed to demonstrate that Australian exports will not pose an increased biosecurity risk to potential and existing trading partners.”

Getting the right people in the room is often the best approach to solving a major issue.

In its first year, the FASTA team has hosted 4 prioritisation workshops with industry and 9 roundtables for 15 key export commodities with 6 more roundtables planned.

Lynne said one of the program’s key strengths is its active industry engagement.

“We use the advice that we receive from industry to inform the prioritisation process and the development of the FASTA work plan,” Lynne said.

These workplans focus on market access support, integrated pest management, chemical alternatives, smart technologies, surveillance and diagnostics.

For more information follow FASTA on LinkedIn @fasta-freshand-secure-trade-alliance

The Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance is a partnership between Hort Innovation, the Department of Primary Industries, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA); the Queensland University of Technology, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VIC), the Western Sydney University, the Department of Tourism, Industry and Trade (NT), the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association, James Cook University, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (SA) and GreenSkin Avocados, with levy funding from the avocado and strawberry industries, and support from the Australian Government