Delivering results

Understanding The Table Grape Levy System

What happens once the levies are collected?

Table grape levies are collected annually and then managed by Hort Innovation.

In the early 2000s, the table grape industry was in its infancy, but producers could see the industry's untapped potential for domestic and export growth.

Regional grower associations and individual growers were calling for a national peak industry body to promote R&D opportunities and marketing activities for producers. This required the establishment of a grower levy.

On 1 October 2002, that call was heard – the peak industry body, the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA), was constituted and the table grape levy was introduced.

What is the table grape levy system?

The levy system is a partnership between government and industry. It allows industries to fund priorities for identified purposes that could not be achieved by many primary producers on their own.

What is the table grape levy?

The table grape levy was originally set at 1c per kilogram of grapes produced, with 0.5c directed toward R&D and 0.5c funnelled into a marketing levy. The levy amount has not changed since its inception in 2001.

The levy is paid by growers who produce and sell table grapes in Australia. The charge is set at the first point of sale. Grower levies are then matched dollar for dollar by a Federal Government contribution, which effectively doubles the R&D budget, but not the marketing levy.

Hort Innovation invests those levies into the Table Grape Fund, through projects that benefit industry – table grape levies do not come directly to the ATGA. The ATGA has to compete with other interested parties on a transparent tender basis, for projects that are of significance and benefit to levy payers.

Hort Innovation assesses the responses to the tender, and then the most suitable delivery partner for each project is chosen.

How are the funds invested?

All investments through the Table Grape Fund are made with advice from the industry’s Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) – a skillsbased panel made of panellists from across the table grape industry.

Investments specific to the Table Grape Fund are guided by the industry’s Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), a five-year roadmap for industry, and the Annual Investment Plan (AIP). The SIP provides an overarching roadmap for industry to follow, and the AIP details how levy dollars will be spent each year to achieve industry goals.

You can view both of these documents on the Hort Innovation and ATGA websites.

Do the levies benefit me?

In March 2023, ABARES published a report, Agricultural research and development investment in Australia, highlighting that R&D continues to yield high returns, with estimates indicating that each additional $1 of investment could generate a return for farmers of $7.82.

Projects such as the Extension of technologies and best management practices to the Australian table grape industry, Table grapes market access and trade development, and the Australian table grape industry communications program are some examples of projects delivered by the ATGA. Other R&D projects table grape levies are invested into include National Fruit Fly Council –phase 4, and Consumer behavioural data program (MT21004), which includes seasonal updates on table grape consumer behaviour on the Harvest to Home website.

Projects like Market access and trade development have supported protocol negotiations between industry, the Federal Government and overseas governments, ensured table grapes have a seat at the table for key trade shows and trade missions, and provided important market intelligence, information on export requirements and delivered export statistics.

The Extension of technologies and best management practices project led to the establishment of the first national table grape extension service, and the recruitment of the ATGA extension team, which aims to improve producer capability and capacity and enhance production efficiency.

The industry communications program helps keep growers and industry partners connected and informed, and without it there would be no Vine magazine, Pick of the Bunch newsletter, ATGA website, social media, video content or other collateral.

Can growers submit their own ideas for investment?

Yes. Ideas can be submitted through Hort Innovation’s online Concept Proposal Form.

Growers are also encouraged to reach out to the SIAP panellists for the industry, or they can contact Hort Innovation employees directly as well. Once an idea is submitted, it will be reviewed to determine whether it aligns to the industry's strategic investment priorities. At this time, the grower or producer will receive a copy of action. Ideas will be assessed annually based on industry benefit and impact as part of the consultation process.v