Winter 2021 Issue
73
Events RETURN, BRIEFLY
p11
Olympic REFLECTIONS
p18
Research IMPROVES EXPORTS
p40
The magazine of
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CEO comment It was a pleasure to catch up with many familiar and some new faces of Queensland’s horticulture industry when, during a brief but welcome reprieve from lockdowns in Queensland, we were able to attend events which provided the opportunity to reconnect, gain inspiration and celebrate our wonderful and resilient industry.
Recognition of dedication After the events were cancelled last year, we were fortunate to participate in Hort Connections (pages 11 to 13) and host the 2021 Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner (pages 24 and 25), both of which were a great success. During these events, some in the markets community were recognised for their dedication and service to the fresh produce industry. Their hard work and dedication is appreciated and contributes to the character of the markets and our standing in the community. Peter Tighe was a very worthy recipient of Fresh Market Australia’s Meritorious Service Award, which he received during the Hort Connections Gala Dinner (page 7). During the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner, we recognised 17 people who have dedicated over 40 years to the markets. Those awarded represent all facets of the markets community and are a great example of what makes Brisbane Markets a wonderful place to work. You can read more about them in Fresh Perspectives on pages 26 to 30. On behalf of the Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark Boards, I would like to extend our thanks to all for their service to Brisbane Markets over the past four decades. Forty years of commitment to the Markets is a remarkable achievement and a milestone worthy of recognition.
Protecting Queensland Whether it is improving their soil, reducing waste or protecting our majestic natural assets, it is clear throughout this edition of Fresh Source that Queensland’s growers truly are custodians of the land they work on. The stories of the work being done by Kalfresh (page 10), Littabella Pines (page 14), and Lyons Farming (page 36), are just a snapshot of the environmentally sustainable practices being put into place across the state, and indeed the country. The new Australian-Grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework (page 10) provides a way to benchmark and
measure horticulture’s improvements and achievements on sustainability issues. Having this framework will assist everyone across all facets of the supply chain to understand, promote and compare the work being done to protect this beautiful county of ours.
Supporting small business It was exciting to see the team from A better choice! receive well-deserved recognition for their efforts to promote our nation’s independent fruit and vegetable shops (page 6). For at least three decades, Brisbane Markets has supported our retailer buyers with consumer campaigns to promote the benefits of shopping at local small businesses, as a way to contribute to their important place in Queensland’s fresh produce supply chain. In 2018, we joined the national retail program to ensure our independent retailers could access the benefits of national campaigns which provide bigger band for their buck in terms of marketing spend and consumer awareness. It is wonderful to see the national team recognised for their hard work and innovation.
Brismark turns 80 This year sees Brismark, the Brisbane Markets representative organisation, turn 80 (page 19). Formed in 1941, the organisation has played a critical role in serving and supporting market wholesalers. The key pillars which ensure Brismark retains its relevance are its role as the major shareholder of Brisbane Markets Limited, its ongoing operation of the Brismark Credit Service, and the representation and support it provides its members thorough its Business Services including provision of training, HR and WHS advice, and recruitment services. Congratulations to Brismark!
Andrew Young, Chief Executive Officer, BML and Brismark
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Contents 6 Fresh Updates 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10
ABC named Marketer of the Year Tighe recognised for years of service Allocations leave growers high and dry Grant boosts digital opportunities One step forward, two steps back for agricultural visas Program gets nod from government Dirt and bugs create a sustainable future Spotlight on responsible farming
11 Fresh Events 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 16
Connections welcome after tough year Delegates delighted by market tour Growers over the moon with award Seed trials the focus for expo in Lockyer Valley Avo growers keep connections fresh Littabella Pines looks to the future Pineapples at the cutting edge Congress provides positive boost
17 Fresh Markets 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 22 22
Every donation counts for the hungry Our Alana continues to spread the healthy eating message 80 years of serving wholesalers Million-dollar mangoes up for auction Golden time for Australian flowers Murray Bros celebrates 100 years Working like a well-oiled machine Forklift operators’ time to shine Parking project’s promising start
24 Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner 26 Fresh Perspectives 26 Loving market life for 40 years
31 Fresh Retailing 31 Erbacher’s rewarded with gong for Queensland’s Retailer of the Year 32 Campaign proves a winner for all 33 Queensland’s luck quadrupled 34 Leveraging the produce report 34 Retailers answer call for help
36 Fresh Industry 36 37 37 38 38 39
Voicing the needs of Bundaberg’s growers Coote takes the helm at AUSVEG New direction, new opportunities Succession sees new Citrus Chair Delivering investments with impact No rest for Bundaberg’s advocates
40 Fresh Export 40 41 41 42
Improving the life of veggies at sea Carrot exports surge to $100 m Costs continue to rise for exporters Queensland shines at Export Awards
BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED | ABN 39 064 983 017 PO Box 80, Brisbane Markets®, Rocklea, Queensland 4106 E communications@brisbanemarkets.com.au W www.brisbanemarkets.com.au ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Editor: Seren Trump, Brisbane Markets Limited P 07 3915 4200 E communications@brisbanemarkets.com.au DESIGN Effigy Creative P 07 3040 4343 | PRINT Buckner Printing P 07 3865 9677
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Fresh Source is the magazine of Brisbane Markets Limited. New editions of the magazine are printed three times a year. Advertising and editorial inquiries are welcome and media outlets are invited to use material without acknowledgement. Fresh Source is printed on Australian made recycled stock.
Foodbank Fights Food Waste with Brisbane Markets Foodbank works with Brisbane Markets to rescue food, reduce waste and fight hunger. Working together, more than 150 000 kilograms of fresh food is collected by Foodbank at Brisbane Markets each year and distributed to Queenslanders in need. That’s the equivalent of 270 000 meals provided to children and adults experiencing hunger. Donating surplus or imperfect food enables Brisbane Markets stallholders to directly provide benefits to people who are living in disadvantaged circumstances, while also having a positive impact on the environment.
Benefits to Stallholders: • Provide food directly to people in need • Save on your waste disposal costs • Positively impact staff morale • Help save our environment • Reduce the volume of food going into landfill foodbank.org.au @foodbankqld
1 Call 0427 157 665
2 Set aside surplus food 3 Food is collected same day Food is distributed to people in need
ABC named Marketer of the Year The team behind the A better choice! (ABC) national retail program have been rewarded for their hard work, winning the Seeka-sponsored 2021 PMA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year Award (MOYA) for their Shop & Win campaign. A joint initiative of Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) and the Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA), ABC is designed to encourage consumers to shop for fresh produce at the over 550 independent fruit and vegetable retailers involved in the program nationwide. MOYA judges were impressed by the way the campaign harnessed a wide range of marketing tools – from point-of-sale activations through to digital advertising – to drive awareness of the competition and encourage participation. During the first six weeks of the three-month campaign, Shop & Win’s activations reached 2.7 million people, with over 6 million impressions across radio, social channels and YouTube. Over 265 stores were nominated as part of the competition during this time period, with 92,914 entries received from across Australia. “Capturing such a large audience over a relatively short time was very impressive, and from all reports interest in the competition has continued to grow since MOYA nominations closed,” Matthew Jones, Editor of Produce Plus magazine, said. “The ability to unlock added value for a cluster of independently operated grocery stores also demonstrated a high degree of marketing innovation in the eyes of the judges.” FMA’s National Program Manager, James Patrick, was unable to travel to Brisbane to accept the award at the Hort Connections 2021 Gala Dinner on Wednesday, 9 June, due to the Victorian lockdown, but was able to take part in the MOYA Showcase event via video link. “It’s an honour in itself to be a part of a program that represents independent fruit and veg shops around the country. This award is a great honour for the team and all those involved around the country, supporting Australia’s local fruit and veg shops,” Mr Patrick said. According to CMAA Chair, Mark Maskiell, all involved were very proud that ABC had received recognition for its 6
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Winners are grinners: The A better choice! national team were unable to accept the Marketer of the Year Award due to Victorian lockdowns, but the state-based teams that helped roll-out the program were able to bask in the glory of the win. Pictured are Michelle Pascoe (Market West), Inci Humberston (Market West), Luke Leeson (Brisbane Markets Limited), FMA General Manager Gail Woods, Kiren Thandi (Brismark), Frederica McCauley (Freshmark), Penny Reidy (South Australian Produce Market), and Michaela Kantarias (South Australian Produce Market).
outstanding efforts promoting the independent fruit and vegetable retail sector. “This program was established to promote the independent retailers, greengrocers and fruiterers of Australia, who are key buyers at the Central Markets. Independent retailers are such a large and important part of the history of this great industry, and when they prosper, it benefits the whole Central Market supply chain,” Mr Maskiell said. Chair of FMA, Shane Schnitzler, said “This award recognises the efforts of this initiative with such significant importance for the independent retailers nationwide. Many of which are owned and run by families who are a large part of the heart and soul of this industry and have been for generations. This award recognises the important role the A better choice! program plays within our industry, and the support behind the initiative keeps it growing for years to come.” To read more about the campaign and its results see page 32 and to find out about Queensland’s Shop & Win winners, see pages 31 and 33.
To see the team’s MOYA Showcase entry, scan or click the QR Code.
Tighe recognised for years of service The people, the colours, the trading – it was the dynamic atmosphere of the Brisbane Produce Market that Peter Tighe fell in love with when he joined his father on the selling floor as a 17-yearold. After 45 years, he continues to pass on the values he learned in his early days to the next generation. Mr Tighe was recently recognised for his service to the industry, being presented with the 2021 Fresh Markets Australia Meritorious Service Award during the 2021 Hort Connections Gala Dinner on 9 June. “It seems like one of those awards that someone else gets. I was very humbled and appreciative to receive it. I love the job that I’ve done and the business I’ve been in; it doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for 45 years,” he said. Mr Tighe’s connection to Brisbane Markets began in 1971, when his father purchased J.H. Leavy & Co, one of the longest established fruit and vegetable wholesaling businesses in Brisbane. A few years later, Mr Tighe joined him. “I used to go to the markets in school holidays, and very early I fell in love with the place,” he said. “It was the hard work, the friendship and camaraderie - working with the older fellows, the learning was invaluable. I try to instil upon the next generation the same values that I learned.” Mr Tighe said he thinks he has done well in business and family because of his principles. “They’re basic principles of hard work, being organised, and treating people how you’d like to be treated. There’s not a job in the business I can’t do, and there’s nothing that I ask of anyone that I haven’t done myself.” Along with his extensive experience as the principal of J.H. Leavy & Co - which he recently sold to Global Fresh Australia Pty Ltd, and in which he still retains strong involvement - Mr Tighe has been a director of Brismark since 1988, and a director of Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) since 1999. Brismark chair, Gary Lower, said the Award is recognition for the devotion and loyal commitment Mr Tighe has shown the fresh produce industry and Brisbane Markets over time. “When the state government announced its plans to sell the Brisbane Markets site
A worthy recipient: Peter Tighe was presented with the 2021 Fresh Markets Australia Meritorious Service Award during the peak industry event, the Hort Connections Gala Dinner.
in 2001, Peter was one of the Brismarkappointed members of the negotiating committee. He made a significant commitment to the capital raising used to fund the winning bid, which allowed the site to transition to industry-based ownership,” Mr Lower said. “Since then, his involvement as a Brismark and BML director has assisted in ensuring that the BML Board culture retains its strong recognition of the wholesaling sector of the industry. “He is a consummate professional in all aspects of his life, working hard to improve the standing and status of the sector.” Mr Lower said Mr Tighe is a strong advocate for Brismark, the Brisbane Markets, and the industry as a whole. “Peter is one of a handful of Brisbane Market Principals who are always ready to put up his hand to assist, support, participate and advocate for Brismark” Mr Lower said.
recipients of this prestigious industry accolade.” To read more about Hort Connections and those awarded at the event’s Gala Dinner, see pages 11 to 13.
DID YOU KNOW? The Fresh Markets Australia Col Johnson Young Archivers Award was won by WA’s Claudia Etherington, for being an active and positive contributer to the Market West Management Committee, and maintaining strong advocacy for positive change within the industry.
“He is a worthy recipient of the Meritorious Service Award, and a worthy peer to stand alongside prior
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Allocations leave growers high and dry Announced water allocations have dropped from 100% to 22% since the capacity of Paradise Dam was reduced in late 2019. Sunwater’s Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme’s announced allocations for the 2021-22 water year were released on 2 July and, while not quite as low as expected, growers are still facing some tough decisions. The announced allocations provide medium priority allocations with 22% of their water allocations for the Burnett sub-scheme (Paradise Dam) and 98% for those in the Kolan sub-scheme (Fred Haigh Dam). The high priority allocations for both sub-schemes are 100%. Local avocado grower, Matthew Kingston, said that the allocation, and the move to reduce Paradise Dam’s storage capacity, has made him regret the decision to invest in avocado plantings ten years ago. “No one in their right mind would plant an avocado or macadamia tree anywhere, without any water security,” he said. Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Managing Director, Bree Grima, said that while 22% was higher than the 14-16%
allocation expected by the industry, it would still result in difficult decisions for local producers who had built their business models on the water security that Paradise Dam originally provided when it was first built. “Whilst this is the starting point for the water year and can only increase, not decrease, this will not be enough allocation alone for producers. Therefore, the temporary transfer market will be stronger than ever and the cost of this will be dictated by demand, which we expect to be high,” Ms Grima said. “Since 2010, growers have received an announced allocation of between 82-100%. Because of this, investment into the region has significantly increased and confidence has been high. The sector now supports over 8,000 jobs in agriculture so it’s not just the farmers that continue to be affected by ongoing drought conditions, it’s the entire supply chain.” The Queensland Government’s Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water report, investigating whether Paradise Dam can be restored to full capacity, is due to be released by the end of the year.
Grant boosts digital opportunities Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) will be the first of nine organisations to benefit from the first round of the Queensland Government’s Digital Transformation Grants under its Economic Recovery Plan. According to BFVG Managing Director, Bree Grima, the almost $160,000 grant would help support a $330,000 Agribusiness Digital Solutions Grant Program, called ‘From big data to big decisions’, which will create new digital and internet-based opportunities for its member growers.
“Under a co-investment model, grants of up to $200,000 were offered for projects that enhance digital skills, drive business efficiencies and create regional jobs across Queensland. The approved grants of $1.045 million are for projects that use a range of technologies including the IoT, cloud computing, intelligent apps, big data, automation, artificial intelligence and sensors.”
The project will provide a grower-focussed online dashboard, accessible to agribusinesses within the Wide Bay region; demonstrate an integrated blockchain paddock to plate system to support product traceability; trial on-farm traceability technology; and, provide extension services through the delivery of workshops and online materials. “This program will work with commercial businesses to develop an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) platform to support applicable technology device management, data collection, and processing and visualisation of information to support decision making on-farm,” Ms Grima said. “The platform will be capable of operating on a low power wide area network communication medium and create a network to support producers in the Wide Bay Region become digitally enabled and manage their entire operation in one place to improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness.” Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner, said there was strong interest from industry in the first round of the Agribusiness Digital Solutions Grant Program. “There were 22 applications received and the diversity of project proposals demonstrates the opportunities digital technologies create for the sector,” he said.
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Robotics in the spotlight: BFVG Managing Director, Bree Grima, with SPOT the robot dog from Boston Dynamics, provided by Australian distributor Corematic. SPOT is an example of how robotics used in other sectors can have application in agriculture, a key initiative that will be looked at during the ‘From big data to big decisions’ program.
One step forward, two steps back for agricultural visas A new seasonal agricultural worker visa may provide relief to Australia’s growers in the long term, but won’t blunt the damage done to the industry by the removal of the farm work requirement from the working holiday maker (WHM) visa. The new visa, announced by Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud in June, mirrors the existing Pacific Islander seasonal worker program by extending it to all ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries.
Bittersweet outcome: While industry groups and growers welcomed the announcement of a dedicated agriculture visa, the removal of the farm work requirement for backpackers has many questioning the federal government’s priorities.
“Pacific worker programs have and will continue to play a critical role in our agriculture sector, and the new visa arrangement will build on the success of these arrangements,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The requirement to work on farm was there for a reason. We won’t dispute the average backpacker would prefer to pour beers in Port Douglas than pick mangos in Mareeba,” said Mr Barnard.
It is hoped that the new visa will be in place by end of the year. However, excitement over the new visa was quickly dampened when it became clear that it was expected to be a replacement of, rather than a complement to, the WHM visa.
“So now we’re going to see an exodus of workers from agriculture into pubs, clubs and restaurants right when we need them the most. Which is obviously back to front and suggests the federal government doesn’t take our food security seriously at all, or the welfare of farmers and the viability of their businesses.”
Traditionally, backpackers are required to do at least 88-days agriculture work to extend their stay in Australia by a year. Changes announced in June will see work in the tourism and hospitality sectors in northern, remote and very remote areas of Australia count towards eligibility for a visa extension without the need to complete farm work. Originally, it was understood that the new WHM requirements would only affect UK backpackers, under the new UKAustralia free trade deal, however, growers and industry groups were blindsided by the news that the change would impact all WHM visa holders. Growcom Chief Executive, Stephen Barnard, said the change defied logic and ran counter to all available evidence, including analysis from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, which found the Queensland horticulture sector is currently short by up to 9,000 workers.
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association president, Carl Walker, agreed that backpackers would choose to work in a bar rather than on a farm, but once they experienced life on a farm they would never want to leave. “The Immigration Minister has put priority on people drinking lattes on the beach instead of feeding the country. There was no consultation with any of the major farming groups and there was no consultation with our organisation,” Mr Walker said. “At the start of the pandemic the government encouraged thousands of backpackers to leave, we lost thousands of workers, and then they made it harder for us to get the Pacific Island workforce over here as well. The way the new WHM visa is set up now, growers will lose out, and that threatens Australia’s precious food supply.”
Program gets nod from government The Freshcare Environmental Program is now a recognised accreditation program for commercial banana cultivation in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment, under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, after receiving recognition by the Queensland Government. The program certification, which goes beyond legislative requirements, is currently used by 65% of the banana industry in the reef catchment and now Freshcare’s accreditation provides a recognised pathway for all banana producers in the region to comply with the Queensland Government’s reef protection regulations.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Meaghan Scanlon, congratulated Freshcare on its constructive engagement throughout the accreditation process. “We appreciate the commitment of Freshcare to delivering robust, accredited standards that are embedded within an assurance and certification model that is industry owned and self-funded,” Minister Scanlon said. “Growers who are accredited with Freshcare Environmental Program will be the lowest priority for a compliance inspection under the reef protection regulations.”
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Updates
Dirt and bugs create a sustainable future Kalfresh has been on a journey towards improved environmental sustainability for the past decade, dramatically transforming their farming systems to ensure optimal outcomes for the soil and their produce in the process.
and the use of soft chemistry; the use of plants to heal and regenerate the soil; composting as a way to improve soil structure and sustainability by improving beneficial bacteria and microbes in the soil.”
Innovations adopted by the Kalfresh team include a comprehensive soil health program, a dedicated composting system, cover cropping, and the use of beneficial insects in the farming system as an alternative to chemicals.
Joint venture partners, Jamie and Melita Jurgens, have led the sustainability journey in North Queensland, as early innovators in the Certified Organic farming space.
With growing operations on the Scenic Rim and in Bowen, Kalfresh now offers 12-month supply of Certified Organic produce, through their The Passionate Farmer Organics brand, which is sold by United Organics and Australian Ethical Growers as well as supermarket chains. Their conventional produce is sold via Franklin Bros and Gibb Bros at the Brisbane Produce Market. Kalfresh Director, Rob Hinrichsen, has led many of the company’s soil sustainability projects. “We have adopted the principles of regenerative agriculture as a way to improve the soil and the produce we grow,” Mr Hinrichsen said. “These strategies include cover cropping to reduce siltation and nutrient leaching; Integrated Pest Management Strategies
The couple have adopted a proven, reliable system to produce commercialscale organic fruit and vegetables and recently invested in an insectary to produce beneficial insects for use on their own farms and by others. “Organic farming is working with Mother Nature to produce good outcomes for the soil, for the produce, and for the people who buy our produce,” Jamie said. “Our system relies on crop rotation, composting, precision farming to reduce compaction, an Integrated Pest Management system to use beneficial insects instead of chemistry; as well as water recycling and desilting to reduce run-off. This is vitally important here in Bowen, as we farm on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Surveying the results: Melita and Jamie Jurgens check their crops at Bowen.
Soil health strategies Making Compost: Waste organics are recycled back to the farm to reclaim nutrients and boost carbon. This project also fulfils a broader company strategy to reduce food waste and increase recycling.
Controlled Traffic Farming: Tractors are controlled by GPS which means machinery doesn’t drive where crops are grown. This reduces compaction and leaves soil open and oxygenated. Cover Cropping: Sacrificial ‘cover’ crops are grown between the vegetable crops to build soil carbon and soil microbiology. Introducing Biologicals: Biologicals are the living microbes that are introduced to help the plants defend themselves. It’s a chemical-free way to control pests and disease. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): The IPM strategy is focused on minimising chemistry, monitoring all insect activity and building beneficial insect numbers and biodiversity to control pest insects.
Spotlight on responsible farming Limiting food waste, packaging, and boosting water and energy efficiency are just some of the opportunities captured in a new Australian-Grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework. Created with input from more than 600 industry participants, the Framework details 17 focus areas that align with existing business measures and initiatives, as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Hort Innovation Chief Executive Matt Brand said the Framework has been developed for Australian horticulture industry participants at a time when consumers and investors are increasingly asking for evidence of ethical and sustainable practices from their food producers. 10 FRESH SOURCE
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“The aim of this Sustainability Framework is to acknowledge the significant contribution Aussie fresh produce growers make to the nation’s families and environment through the provision of fresh and nutritious food,” he said. “It also promotes sustainable and responsible care for our natural environment and provides a vital roadmap for a stronger Australian farming future.” Mr Brand said the initiative aligns with a range of research efforts being delivered by Hort Innovation, in line with the target to grow agriculture to $100 billion by 2030. Shane Quinn, from vegetable producer Mulgowie Farming Company, said the Framework is a useful resource for industry.
“The Mulgowie Farming team is proud to use ethical sustainable practices when producing nutritious produce from our healthy soils,” he said. “We look forward to the Sustainability Framework providing the means to demonstrate positive environmental impacts and industry issues of concern to a wide range of stakeholders.” The Horticulture Sustainability Framework was developed over more than 12 months and involved input from producers, employees, industry peak bodies, service and input suppliers, and researchers. Financers and investors, marketers and exporters, retailers, governments and consumers also had input.
Connections welcome after tough year Over 2,000 registered delegates attended the successful Hort Connections 2021 in Brisbane from 7 to 9 June, despite the noticeable absence of the Victorian contingent due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The premier event in Australian horticulture, a joint initiative between AUSVEG and PMA Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ), Hort Connections 2021 provided speaker sessions, trade show, networking events, tours and gala awards nights for those in attendance. “The conference provided an opportunity for delegates to build their knowledge and networks, and find new ways to improve the productivity and profitability of their businesses,” AUSVEG and PMA A-NZ said in a joint statement. “The Hort Connections conference encompasses the vegetable, fruit, nut, cut floral and nursery sectors. This year, over 60 industry organisations and supply chain partners supported the event to provide added value to delegates, and allow them to access the expertise and services of a range of industry members in one central location.”
Top honours: The joint FMA-CMAA stand representing Australia’s Fresh Produce Markets took out the Best Booth Design award during the Hort Connections trade show.
Australia’s Fresh Produce Markets, a collaboration between the Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA) and Fresh Markets Australia (FMA), held naming rights for the trade show for the fourth year and each Central Market’s landlord and chamber came together to represent the wholesale fruit and vegetable industry. The stand was a major drawcard, with delegates drawn to the dynamic display of produce from wholesalers across the country and the dedicated coffee stand which allowed Central Markets representatives to promote the work of the wholesale sector to the thousands of people in attendance. “Even though we missed our Central Market colleagues and delegates from Victoria, the trade show was a great success for us. Our stand, awarded the Best Booth Design 2021, was a great meeting point for delegates to grab a cup of coffee and talk with our Central Markets teams,” FMA General Manager, Gail Woods, said.
Keeping contact: BML’s communications team Luke Leeson (left) and Seren Trump (right) catching up with Bowen Gumlu Growers Association’s new General Manager, Ry Collins, during the trade show.
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Events
Delegates delighted by market tour Brisbane Markets played host to Hort Connections delegates on Monday, 7 June, with attendees reporting the tours opened their eyes to the workings of the Central Markets. Over 50 growers, industry representatives and delegates from Australia’s other Central Markets attended tours of Brisbane Markets, which included visits to the Montague Produce Facility (Building C1), the new J. H. Leavy & Co warehouse (Building E1) and the Brisbane Produce Market
Growers over the moon with award Queensland was well represented in the National Awards for Excellence presented at the Hort Connections Gala Dinner on 9 June, with locals taking out both the Grower of the Year and Exporter of the Year categories. Fifth-generation St George growers, Andrew and David Moon, won Grower of the Year for their family-owned business, Moonrocks, that specialises in broccoli, onions and garlic. During COVID-19, Moonrocks launched the G’Day Garlic range of garlic powders, which delivers a paddock to plate experience. Processing and packaging of the products also takes place onfarm, which has been supported by the local community by creating jobs and contributing to the business’ growth.
selling floor. Guests were treated to breakfast and a guided tour of the facilities, learning how Brisbane Markets operates, how wholesalers utilise the purpose-built facilities of the site, and the history of Queensland’s Central Market. The tour also provided a starting point for important networking at the Hort Connections trade show, with many attendees visiting the Australia’s Fresh Produce Markets stand, and inquiring
It was double the honour for Steven Moffatt from Moffatt Fresh Produce, who won the national Exporter of the Year Award the day after his family business was named Queensland Horticulture Exporter of the Year (read more on page 42). “Moffatt Fresh has operated for nearly 100 years and now has the fifth generation of Moffatt family farmers putting quality fresh vegetables on the tables of Australian families and those in key markets around the world,” incoming AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote said. “Moffatt Fresh started to export directly from the farm around six years ago and is now shipping to customers in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East. They are a prime example of the success that a business can achieve when it embraces the opportunities that are available in export markets.”
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further about Brisbane Markets and its wholesalers. During Hort Connections, BML received extensive positive feedback about the tour, including the professional site presentation, informative tour guides, and the variety and quality of the produce on display.
Hort Connections Gala Dinner Award Winners Syngenta Grower of the Year Andrew and David Moon (QLD) Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year Xavier Toohey (VIC) Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award Catherine Velisha (VIC) Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year Steven Moffatt (QLD) Bayer Researcher of the Year Jenny Ekman (NSW) Visy Industry Impact Award East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days (VIC) E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award Andrew Smith (TAS) Butler Market Gardens Environmental Award Mark and Darren Todaro (VIC)
“The Grower of the Year Award is the highest accolade in Australian horticulture and reflects Andrew and David’s dedication to their business and their tireless efforts on behalf of the horticulture industry,” outgoing AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside said. “Andrew and David have transformed their business into one of the most innovative and successful growing operations in Australia, which has been built on a strong foundation of consistent quality through environmentally sustainable farming practices and attention to detail.”
Hort Connections delegates explored the Central Trading Area along with new warehouses, Buildings C1 and E1.
PMA Tech Innovation Award The Yield Technology Solutions PMA – Produce Plus Marketer of the Year FMA’s A better choice! campaign Shop & Win
Grower of the Year: Paul Luxton (Syngenta Australia – New Zealand Managing Director) presents Andrew Moon with the Grower of the Year Award he won with his brother David for their work at Moonrocks, St George. Image: Andrew Beveridge
Fresh Markets Australia Meritorious Service Award Peter Tighe (QLD) Fresh Markets Australia Col Johnson Young Achievers Award Claudia Etherington (WA)
Seed trials the focus for expo in Lockyer Valley Trials were the star of the show at the Lockyer Valley Growers Expo, where around 1,000 new vegetable varieties and innovations in seed technology and breeding were on display. Eleven international horticultural seed companies came together for the expo, held on Sunday, 6 and Monday, 7 June in conjunction with Hort Connections, planting their varieties side by side so delegates could reap the rewards of comparison. According to Lockyer Valley Growers President, Michael Sippel, the seed variety showcase was a major drawcard for visitors and put the Lockyer Valley on the national stage. “The seed companies plant their varieties on a weekly basis for at least six months to present a vast variety of vegetables that each have different maturing timeframes. Everything from celery to baby-leaf, herbs, lettuce, carrots, potatoes and brassicas were showcased,” Mr Sippel said. Held on the Sunday evening, the Gala Dinner provided the opportunity for 450 growers and industry representatives to let
Seed trials drew in the crowds for the Lockyer Valley Growers Expo in June. Image: Luke Willey, Voice Photography
their hair down, network and relax. The red-carpet and fairy lights leading those that attended through the variety trials to the marquee was a delightful way to start the festivities. The diners enjoyed a wonderful selection of vegetables, all provided by a variety of producers in the region, as part of their delicious meals. “The Gala Dinner was a great opportunity for everyone involved in vegetable production to re-connect and strengthen their networks. The food was brilliant, entertainment was hilarious and the setting could not have been more appropriate,” Mr Sippel said.
Avo growers keep connections fresh Avocados Australia’s special side event to Hort Connections drew a full house of industry members on 7 June.
connect emotionally with Australian avocado consumers, and ultimately to increase the frequency of purchase.
Avocados Australia CEO, John Tyas, said it was the first time the organisation, a Hort Connections industry partner, had held a side event at the major national conference.
“In a year when supply is forecast to increase by 65% (compared to the previous 12 months), the timing and goal of this campaign could not be more important,” Mr Tyas said.
“We were over-subscribed with interested attendees, keen to know more about the latest in industry marketing, retail, supply chain quality and export,” Mr Tyas said.
“This year’s hass crop is of excellent quality, and we’ve had good growing conditions across most of our production regions, so it’s definitely the time to celebrate Our Green Gold.”
“The event provided a great opportunity for people to join key industry stakeholders from across the supply chain and hear the latest in industry, marketing, retail and supply chain R&D and improvements, including our export markets and the extensive update of our Infocado system.”
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries provided valuable insights into fruit quality and supply chain temperatures from grower to ripening/wholesale after sampling numerous supply chains for a two-year period.
Hort Innovation provided an update on the new Australian Avocados campaign, ‘Our Green Gold’. The new campaign, featuring well-known comedian Nazeem Hussain, aims to
Applied Horticultural Research followed with an update on the retail performance of avocados after sampling carried out in metropolitan stores during the past 12 months.
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Events
Littabella Pines looks to the future The Australian pineapple industry is taking a proactive approach to improving environmental outcomes and enterprise sustainability with a number of industryled research and development trials currently underway across the state. For Bundaberg grower, John Steemson, the industry trials are as much about achieving better results for the farming enterprise and environment as they are about instigating conversation and practice change. Mr Steemson along with his wife, Linda, and sons, Daniel and Justin, operate Littabella Pines in the Bundaberg region growing pineapples, watermelons, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and sugarcane. The Steemsons planted their first crop of pineapples in 2002 after experiencing very dry conditions which left them unable to irrigate. “The only water we have on the property comes from our dams. We are not on any irrigation scheme and there are no underground water deposits,” John said. “A good friend of ours suggested pineapples as it was a crop that didn’t need much, if any, irrigation. We planted our first crop in 2002, had our first fruit in 2004 and it has been a steady progression since then.” Today, the Steemsons grow pineapples across 250 hectares of land producing around 5,000 tonnes annually. When market conditions are attractive, John said they send around 600 tonnes of pineapple to the Central Markets. The remainder of their crop is sent to Golden Circle for processing.
the Steemsons to maintain full time employment for their core group of 25 workers. “Having that consistent production has been really useful for us in being able to maintain a stable workforce,” Mr Steemson said. Recognising their position on the very doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, the Steemsons are actively involved in several programs, trials and research projects being conducted by the Australian pineapple industry in collaboration with the Queensland Government, Growcom and private enterprises. The results of many of these trials were on display at this year’s annual Pineapple Field Days (see page 15). “Understanding the importance of optimal nutrient use for both farm productivity and water quality targets is becoming increasingly important. Our hope is that we instigate conversation and practice change by having industry take on board the findings of the research,” Mr Steemson said. One trial that formed part of the Field Days was an erosion control site investigating several approaches to reduce losses of sediment, nutrients and pesticides. A secondary aim of the trial was to utilise Hort360, Growcom’s best management practice program for
horticulture, to capture the practice improvements made on-farm. “Through this trial we installed different approaches to runoff management both in the farming area and as it leaves the farm. We’ve got standard industry practice, then we’ve also got some more innovative measures being put into place and evaluated,” Mr Steemson said. According to Mr Steemson, the site was established so it could be used as a benchmark and as a topic of conversation within industry. “We want to enable people to take away some ideas and put them into practice in their own operations because it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer; it’s about having as many tools in the toolbox as we can so we can get the best financial outcome for the operation as well as the best environmental outcomes,” he said. Along with the erosion control site the Steemsons are also involved in a number of other industry trials looking at improved fumigation practices, the effectiveness of bio-organic products, herbicide replacements, and monitoring the viability of bioreactors as an option to manage chemical and nutrient leaving growing sites. This article was originally published in Growcom’s Fruit & Vegetable News. You can read the original at bit.ly/2VxKWQz.
Dry conditions continue to cause issues for the pineapple industry with John explaining the past two years have been some of the driest on record. “It’s been shocking the past two years. Out of an average annual rainfall of 1,200 mm, in 2019 we only measured 280 mm, and again in 2020 we only received a little over 500 mm. The lack of rain has resulted in an enormous amount of small juice grade pineapples with around one third of production for the past two years undersized,” Mr Steemson said. Despite the ongoing drought conditions, 100 mm was recently recorded across the farm with more rainfall expected. The range of crops grown allows for production 12 months of the year. This steady production schedule has aided
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Spotlight on sustainability: John Steemson amongst the pineapples at his property near Bundaberg. Image: Paul Beutel Photography
Pineapples at the cutting edge Sustainability was under the spotlight in July, when the Australian pineapple industry came together in Bundaberg to share knowledge and celebrate at the annual Pineapple Field Days and Gala Dinner. Attracting keen interest were demonstrations of new tools and technologies, spray rigs and drones, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of fertiliser and herbicide applications along with presentations from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of new ideas for limiting erosion. The farm trials on show around Bundaberg were a result of deliberation by the Pineapple Environmental Sustainability Team, otherwise known as PEST.
Ms Wensley later formally handed John and Linda Steemson of Littabella Pines their Reef Certification gained through Hort360, the first pineapple growers to have their farm practices certified as consistent with improving water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments. “Pineapple growers are also leading the rest of horticulture in their efforts to assure consumers that their workers are not getting the rough end, with ten growers already on the pathway to proving their ethical employment practices by becoming Fair Farms certified,” Mr Barnard said.
According to Growcom CEO, Stephen Barnard, PEST was a model example of collaboration between his organisation, growers, private enterprise, and key government agencies including Queensland departments of agriculture and environment, ensuring that the finite funds available for research and development are invested to maximise gains for growers and avoid duplication. “While the pineapple industry, like horticulture generally, is dealing with its fair share of challenges right now, there is a strong sense of cohesion between growers and a shared commitment to staying at the cutting edge of technology and consumer trends,” Mr Barnard said. The Honourable Penelope Wensley AC, former diplomat, Governor of Queensland and now the National Soils Advocate, opened the Field Days, recognising how cognisant growers are to their responsibilities as stewards of the natural environment.
Trials on show: Pineapple growers were treated to a series of presentations relating to the on-farm trials at Amaryllys Farming Co and Littabella Pines.
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Events
Congress provides positive boost The banana industry converged on Far North Queensland in May for the 14th biennial Banana Congress. Almost 500 delegates attended the congress in Cairns from 12-15 May with the speaker line-up drawing on expertise from both within and outside of the industry. According to Congress Chair and Lakeland grower, Paul Inderbitzin, speakers included Matt Church (Thought Leaders), Adam Ferrier (Thinkerbell), Andrew Bate (Swarm Farms Robotics) and Tim Hunt (Rabobank). “The response to this year’s line-up, and to the Far North Queensland location, was phenomenal. In fact, it was one of our most well-attended events on record,” Mr Inderbitzin said. “We were delighted to have growers join us from all of our growing regions – of course, Far North Queenslanders were out in force, but we also had representatives from NSW, WA and the NT.” While there was plenty of information to take in, growers and industry representatives also made the most of some rare time away from their businesses to attend a range of social events. Standouts included the Banana Women’s Luncheon and the much-anticipated Banana Ball, the latter featuring worldrenowned Outback Wrangler Matt Wright.
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright presents the inaugural Future Farming Award to Gavin Devaney.
Long-time banana ambassador and NRL legend, Billy Slater, also stopped by for a special trade show evening, letting delegates in on his footy tips for the round ahead. “It’s been an incredibly tough few years for our industry. We hope people left the event feeling motivated and positive about the future of this dynamic industry – and that they had a bit of fun too,” Mr Inderbitzin said. The next Banana Congress is scheduled for 2023.
Awards recognise bananas’ best The Australian banana industry recognised five of its best with awards announced at the Banana Ball as part of Congress 2021.
MC Todd Widdicombe, Benny Banana and NRL legend Billy Slater at the Banana Congress tradeshow.
Awards of Honour were presented to Dennis Howe, Franziska and Peter Inderbitzin, and Jeff Daniells, while Boogan’s Gavin Devaney took home the inaugural Future Farming Award. Awards of Honour have been given out at every Congress since the event was first held in 1995. This year, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) also introduced the Future Farming Award to celebrate outstanding achievement in banana best management practice. ABGC Chair, Stephen Lowe, said he couldn’t imagine a more fitting recipient than Gavin Devaney for the inaugural award and paid tribute to the incredible careers of those acknowledged with Awards of Honour. “We count some of the world’s most innovative growers and researchers among our Australian industry. To say we are lucky is an understatement,” Mr Lowe said. Congress Chair and Lakeland grower Paul Inderbitzin addresses delegates during the event. 16 FRESH SOURCE
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Every donation counts for the hungry Every single piece of fruit and vegetables that gets saved from going to waste makes a difference to families in need. That’s the message from Foodbank Queensland (FBQ), the state’s largest hunger relief charity, who works closely with Brisbane Markets wholesalers to divert fresh produce from the bin to the mouths of those who are hungry. According to FBQ’s Food Supply Manager, Bob McMillan, every year the organisation rescues millions of kilograms of food that would have otherwise gone to waste and provides the equivalent of 25 million meals to children and adults experiencing hunger across the state.
Fruitful partnership: Foodbank Queensland’s Zoe Templeton catches up with So Crisp’s Mark Van De Meeden.
“Foodbank Queensland is proud to work with Brisbane Markets to rescue food, reduce waste, and fight hunger,” Mr McMillan said. “Working together, more than 150,000 kilograms of fresh food is collected by Foodbank at Brisbane Markets each year and distributed to Queenslanders in need. That’s the equivalent of more than 270,000 meals to help hungry Queenslanders put food on the table.” While individual wholesalers may feel that their donations to FBQ are small compared to their overall throughput each week, these small amounts of produce can make a big difference. “Sadly, one in five people in our community is in crisis at some point each year, dealing with the anguish and despair of not knowing where the next meal will come from. Every food donation, big or small, makes a very real difference to people suffering from hunger,” Mr McMillan said. “Donating surplus or imperfect food enables Brisbane Markets wholesalers to directly benefit people who are living in disadvantaged circumstances, whilst having a positive impact on the environment.” Mr McMillan encouraged Brisbane Markets wholesalers to remember FBQ when disposing of unwanted product and thanked Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) for its support in providing ongoing access to the market to collect produce right from wholesalers’ warehouses.
Food for thought: BML Communications Manager Luke Leeson and Foodbank’s Zoe Templeton exploring the Brisbane Produce Market.
“Having this partnership with BML gives us the confidence that we will have ongoing access to this very essential produce and that it will always be available to us to feed those in need,” he said. FBQ is a Brisbane Markets access-approved service provider, so the process for donating fresh produce is easy and straightforward. Simply call Bob McMillan on 0427 157 665 or visit bit.ly/2ULQw1z to arrange for FBQ to collect your donation from the location of your choice.
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Our Alana continues to spread the healthy eating message Five years ago, pole vaulter, Alana Boyd, was preparing for her third Olympics at Rio de Janeiro and representing Brisbane Produce Market as the Healthy Eating Ambassador for the retail program. Half a decade later, she’s known as Alana Quade, has had two children and is working in the family business with her husband, Ryan, but her devotion to the importance of healthy eating remains front of mind, albeit for a different audience.
Healthy habits: As Brisbane Produce Market’s healthy eating ambassador, Alana Quade (nee Boyd) spruiked the benefits of shopping at your local fruit shop for the retail program.
While the current batch of Olympians have just completed their life changing journey in a Games like no other before, the importance of the event remains the same. “Because it only comes around every four years, it makes it that little bit more special to become an Olympian,” Mrs Quade said. “It’s the pinnacle of your career for most sports so you put everything into it and, given the postponement last year, the whole process would have been really hard for a lot of athletes. I think everybody who is on the team would be extremely grateful that they made it.” With no spectators and the spectre of COVID looming over the event, this year’s games had a very different feel. “It would have been a bit eerie without a crowd, but regardless they pushed themselves to the limit. The competition was still fierce. Having a crowd can go both ways, having 20,000 people in a stadium cheering you on can be a massive adrenaline boost but at the same time it can also be distracting.” Mrs Quade competed in three Olympic Games and said that each was very different both in terms of her own performance and the event in general. “Rio was my best performance and I jumped so close to my personal best but I also knew it was going to be my last,” she said. “With age comes wisdom, and I approached the Games differently to my previous ones: I went in there with nothing to lose. My advice to other athletes would be to trust that you’ve done all the work that you can. What have you got to lose? Go in there and just give it everything you’ve got.” Since Rio, Mrs Quade has retired from athletics, married, given birth to two girls - Matilda (3) and Charlotte (1) - and worked hard at growing the family’s building company. “I feel like it’s been a lot longer than five years but at the same time it feels like only yesterday too,” she said. “I still try to have balance in my life and keep fit, but my training regime is definitely not what it used to be! But life is really good. I love being a mum and my life after sport.” According to Mrs Quade, eating healthy, fresh produce is absolutely critical for athletes and a partnership with the Brisbane Produce Market made sense. “Being able to provide your body with fuel to make sure you can put in your all at every training session or every
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Our Olympian: Alana at Rio de Janeiro with the Brisbane Markets Limited logo proudly displayed on her pole.
competition is just vital. I have always been big on eating my fruit and vegetables so when the opportunity came up to align myself with Brisbane Produce Market it was the perfect fit,” she said. Mrs Quade said that having the support of Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) behind her allowed her to focus on her preparation for the Olympics without worrying about financial concerns. “Unless you are a football star or the very best in the world, it is very difficult to balance training and employment,” Mrs Quade said. “Having financial assistance from BML allowed me to put that worry out of my mind and just get on with the job at hand leading into Rio. But also, just knowing that I had the support of everyone at Brisbane Markets and everyone who shops at their local fruit shop, was just amazing.” While healthy eating is still an important focus as a mother, the battles at the dinner table are the same no matter your background. “My two-year-old loves fruit but for some reason she’s just decided that she doesn’t want to eat any veggies,” Mrs Quade said. “I try to hide them and research yummy ways to cook them to keep it exciting for my kids because I want them to have the best possible nutrition so that they can develop into strong and healthy adults. It’s definitely something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life and pass down to my children.”
80 years of serving wholesalers Ensuring a voice for wholesalers in matters concerning the fresh produce industry has been the goal of Brismark for 80 years. Since its humble beginnings in 1941, the organisation has grown to also provide essential business services and support for independent retailers who help to make Brisbane Markets thrive. Established as The Queensland Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries, Brismark’s roots stretch to the early 1900s, when a committee was formed to address fruit and vegetable industry matters of the time. These included controlling the supply chain of produce on the black market and price fixing, advocating for market trading hours, congestion on roads, and the provision of credit. The need for a formal entity became clear following World War II, when legislation was put in place without industry consultation. On 20 March 1941 the Chamber was registered as a trade association, becoming a cooperative in the late 40s. The Chamber’s mission was to be “a highly effective and professional employer organisation operating in the best interest of our members as a group, through excellence in representation and service, with a commitment to our market, the central market system, and the horticultural industry”. “The first move towards unity was largely prompted by the introduction of war related legislation. Wholesalers collectively had no input to this legislation, due to the lack of a representative voice,” Gary Lower, Brismark’s current and longest serving Chair, said. It didn’t take long for the Chamber to expand its focus from industry representation to business-related services to benefit members. The early years of the organisation saw it implementing a credit control scheme by registering buyers for credit, a precursor to the Credit Service which would follow some 30 years later. In the 1950s, discussions turned to the proposed relocation of the congested inner-city markets precinct and in 1964 Brisbane Markets was established in its current location. While based at the inner-city markets,
the Chamber purchased a selling floor tenancy and established a hardware and stationery store to provide wholesalers with allied business services. After the move to Rocklea, the shop front sales ideas was expanded to include a hardware store, a garden and nursery centre, stationer, packaging supplies, night unloading, travel service and it even broadcast fresh produce prices from a radio studio.
Brismark’s original offices at Building D at Brisbane Markets, Rocklea.
By the 1970s, bad debts had become a problem for wholesalers and during a World Market Study Tour in 1972, a Brisbane Markets delegation was inspired to establish a credit control scheme. Despite strong opposition, the Credit Service was established on 1 July 1973. “The establishment of the Credit Service, and the Bad Debt Reserve ten years later, are some of the most significant achievements of the Chamber,” Mr Lower said.
Former Chairs of Brismark.
By the end of the 80s, the Chamber adopted the trading name Brismark, an amalgamation of Brisbane Marketers and Brisbane Market. Over the years, Brismark’s service offering has evolved based on the changing needs of the industry and its members. In the 90s, the organisation developed an education and training service, and introduced a food safety quality assurance program, all of which continue to operate today. Another cornerstone has been its support for independent retailers, funding advertising campaigns promoting the consumption of fresh produce since the 50s, and establishing retail programs such as Fresh Fest, Your Local Fruit Shop, and now, as part of a nation-wide A better choice! Most significant, however, was the establishment of the entity Landacq Limited in 1994 to pursue ownership of a state-of-the-art central market and distribution facility. Brismark had been lobbying the state government for some years to sell the Brisbane Markets and - with industry support from growers, wholesalers, provedores and the retailing sector - led a successful bid to purchase the site in 2002. “An extraordinary effort of commitment and professionalism of the then
The hardware store Brismark operated in the Brisbane Markets Commercial Centre.
Executive and negotiating team were critical to the successful bid to buy the Brisbane Markets,” Mr Lower said. Landacq Ltd is now known as Brisbane Markets Limited, and Brismark remains a major shareholder. “Owning shares in Brisbane Markets Limited has been a hard-fought strategic initiative that has benefited all of Brismark’s members, and something we will fight hard to keep,” Mr Lower said. Eighty years on, Brismark continues to operate on its founding values of representation and service to the fruit and vegetable industry, providing a range business services, partnerships, and a collective voice on industry matters.
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Million-dollar mangoes up for auction Who wouldn’t want to get their hands on million-dollar mangoes? The 2021 Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction, set to be held on Thursday, 16 September, is guaranteed to be a whopper with the goal of donating $1 million to charity firmly in reach. Since 2002, the charity Mango Auction has raised $994,900 for various charities and this year Red Kite is set to benefit from the benevolence of the Brisbane Produce Market family. In 2019 Alexandra Catalano, representing Yuen’s Farmers Market in Underwood and Waterford as well Discount Fruit Barn in Harbour Town and Helensvale, took home the season’s first tray of mangoes and the coveted title of 2019 Mango Monarch thanks to a generous $25,000 winning bid. Brisbane Markets Limited Chairman, Tony Joseph, said the Brisbane Produce Market hosts the only mango auction in the country, and annually brings fruit shop owners and mango fanatics across Brisbane together for the high-stakes event. “Mango season is one of my favourite times of the year, and our annual Mango Auction is the perfect way to remind us that summer’s on the way,” said Mr Joseph.
Mango Queen Alexandra Catalano of Yuen’s Farmers Market in Underwood and Waterford, and Discount Fruit Barn in Harbour Town and Helensvale, with Sam Thaiday at the 2019 Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction.
Golden time for Australian flowers Australia is going for gold, and not just at the Olympics. The trend to send flowers to loved ones in lockdown has continued with 2021 flower sales continuing to be strong and steady following a huge increase in 2020. “While sales aren’t rising significantly like they did in 2020, the rise that we did experience has plateaued with sales remaining at a higher level than they were pre-COVID,” a Flowerlovers spokesperson said. Both in terms of flower variety and growing regions, Australia is coming out the clear winner. “Natives are really popular at the moment, people just can’t get enough of them,” Ms Miricov said. Options include eucalypt and banksia varieties, along with kangaroo paw, grevillia, waxflowers and, just in time for the Olympics, the green and gold flush of wattle, and are often paired with the protea family such as king and pink ice, leucadendron, pincushions and blushing brides– all South African natives but with a feel close to Australia’s favourite native flowers. Local grower and Brisbane Flower Market tenant, Redlands Fresh Flowers’ Mandeep Nijjar, said the demand wasn’t just for flowers endemic to Australia, with many buyers requesting Australian grown as well. “We’ve noted a lot more demand for Australian flowers in general, not just the native varieties, with many buyers choosing to only buy Australian grown. While pre-COVID we had the occasional buyer requesting Australian products, there has been a significant uptake since,” Mrs Nijjar said.
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Karen Watkinson from Djirang Plantation, who grow both native and international foliage verities on the Sunshine Coast, said that she has noticed more florists and other buyers seeking out Djirang Plantation because they were Australian growers. “I have noticed our buyers are wanting to follow the seasons and like the changing variety that buying in-season provides, rather than asking for products that are out of season and therefore need to be imported to meet demand,” Mrs Watkinson said. Events still continue to be cause for concern with the wedding specialists, Brisbane Market Flowers, feeling the pinch. “People are wary of booking events and weddings at the moment due to the uncertainty COVID brings, and while weekend in-person sales started strong at the beginning of the year, subsequent restrictions have made people reluctant to head out over the weekend,” Ms Mirciov said. According to Andrew Sanger from Lynch Market Flowers, the popularity of flowers is unlikely to slow down when COVID restrictions ease. “Flowers are and always will be the gift that people turn to, regardless of economic downturns and health restrictions. Looking towards the future, the Australian flower industry can only get bigger and better from here,” Mr Sanger said. “Once we are given the good to go, events and weddings will boom – with people saving for their special occasions for longer and appreciating their new-found freedom by attending events.”
Murray Bros celebrates 100 years Brisbane Produce Market wholesaler, Murray Bros, is celebrating a century in business and has discovered a whole lot of history in the process. Since 1921, Murray Bros has been officially trading within Brisbane’s central markets.
1950s: The Murray Bros stand in Roma Street’s Brisbane Muncipal Market.
After returning from fighting in Europe in World War I, brothers, Reg and Arthur Murray, registered the business on 26 July 1921, and commenced trading at Brisbane Muncipal Market in Roma Street. According to the Brisbane Courier in 1932, “From a modest beginning, 10 years of steady growth has placed the business in the enviable position it occupies in the trade today”. Murray Bros continued trading at Roma Street from 1921 to 1964 under the leadership of Reg Murray, dealing with many challenges, including the Great Depression (1929-1933) and World War II (1939-1945). In 1964 the Brisbane Product Market, and Murray Bros with it, relocated to the current site at Rocklea. Murray Bros commenced trading from Building B, where they remain over 50 years later. In the 1960s and 1970s, Reg Murray introduced a number of business partners to continue to sustain and grow the business, including Don Shelton, Harold Wakely, Roy Hollett Snr and Barry Smith. In 1984, Reg Murray Snr was awarded the nation’s top fruit and vegetable wholesaling honour, the Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Meritorious Service Award.
1970s: Murray Bros has maintained the same position in the Brisbane Produce Market’s Central Trading Area since it opened in 1964.
In the mid-1980s, with Reg Hollett Snr now at the helm, Murray Bros was sold to the Golden Mile group of companies. In 1990, Murray Bros was sold to Atkinson Produce (a company owned at the time by Robbie Clarke and Ross Sutherland). Atkinson Produce has remained the owner since that time. Robbie Clarke was Managing Director of the business from 1990 to 1999, when he left the business. In 1999, Gary Poole took over as Managing Director of Murray Bros, leading the company on a 10-year run of solid trading growth. In 2009, Gary Poole retired and Stephen Edwards took over as Managing Director. Stephen remains as Managing Director today. He has continued the growth momentum of Gary Poole by growing a number of the logistical arms of the business, including pre-packing, import/export logistics, fumigation and third-party logistics. In 2017, Murray Bros signed a 10-year lease with Brisbane Markets Limited to take over Building A1, the eye-catching warehouse on the corner of Sherwood Road and Martin Taylor Drive, Rocklea. At the time, current General Manager, Susan Lewis, said, “The site is compatible with the growth of our pre-packing business, third party logistics, ripening and imports program so its availability was perfect timing for us”. Since then, construction of additional cold rooms, ripening and fast cool rooms, and fumigating rooms has seen the
Now: Murray Bros as it is today.
functionality of the 5,000 m2 multi-purpose facility expand even further. Murray Bros continues to trade an expansive list of fresh produce from their Building B selling floor tenancy, and also runs large storage sheds in Buildings R and M. “Murray Bros management and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank our growers and customers, past and present, for the support and cooperation which has enabled our company to reach this privileged and exciting milestone of 100 years in business,” Mrs Lewis said. Winter 2021 FRESH SOURCE 21
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Working like a well-oiled machine The men and women of the Brisbane Produce Market work odd hours, have irregular eating schedules, and take part in manual handling, which can pose potential risk…and they often don’t see a doctor until they absolutely have to. Hot on the wheels of Men’s Health Week, Brismark resurrected its annual Pit Stop event on 22 June, raising awareness around preventable illnesses. Cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, Pit Stop was designed by Queensland Health and run in partnership with the Queensland Gastroenterology. Station partners included occupational nurses, Bowel Health, Nutrition Australia Queensland, My Health for Life, and Addiction Services.
According to Brismark’s Business Services Manager, Lisa Dwyer, the event gave markets users the opportunity to get a tune up. “We all get our cars serviced but often find it difficult to take the same time to ensure our bodies are in good working condition. Pit Stop provides a great opportunity to ensure you’re firing on all cylinders,” Ms Dwyer said. Held at the Brismark Training Centre within the Brisbane Produce Market, a number of stations – or check points – were set up to assess participants’ oil pressure (blood pressure), exhaust (smoking), duco (skin), chassis (weight), roadworthiness (fitness), headlights (breast health), shock absorbers (mental health), spark plugs and gear
Forklift operators’ time to shine It’s time to get the forklifts fired up, the Brisbane Produce Market’s 2021 Forklift Operator of the Year competition is just around the corner. Registrations for the popular event open on Wednesday, 1 September with the observation period running from Tuesday, 21 September until Tuesday, 19 October 2021. The top ten forklift operators will then navigate the obstacle course in the Grand Final, to be held in the Covered Unloading Area of the Brisbane Produce
Market on Wednesday, 27 October. The winner of 2020’s event, Adam Crawley, said “It’s important to have an event like this on site to help promote safety amongst the forklift operators.” 2019 winner Na’a Finau encouraged forklift operators to register for the event. “Do it! It’s good experience. It really tests your level of skill, and, most importantly, it is good fun,” Mr Finau said.
Tune up time: Murray Bros Managing Director, Stephen Edwards, gets his oil pressure checked.
box (testicular/cervical), fuel additives (alcohol and other drugs), fuel system (nutrition), and extractor (bowel health). Over 50 participants were given a ‘work order form’ and ‘tool kit’ at the gate to take along to each station, collecting resources such as nutrition flyers, standard-sized drinking glasses, novelty toilet paper rolls and, of course, some fruit between assessments. The event was sponsored by Willowbank Raceway, and Anytime Fitness Rocklea distributed gym vouchers.
Parking project’s promising start A new project to combat unauthorised parking in the Brisbane Produce Market’s Central Trading Area has been hailed a success, dramatically reducing unauthorised parking and freeing up space for buyers. Since parking enforcement by Pripark commenced on Thursday, 1 April, there have been very few noncompliant vehicles parked in tram tracks and loading zones. The move has enabled buyers to easily locate parking in close proximity to the selling floors to provide convenient access for the purchase and loading of fresh produce. The initiative has been so successful, Brisbane Markets Limited is looking at broadening Pripark’s monitoring of parking to the entire Brisbane Markets site in due course.
2020 Forklift Operator of the Year, Adam Crawley, navigates his way through the obstacle course. 22 FRESH SOURCE
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2021
Market gathers for golden gala The market community gathered to celebrate the people and culture of the horticulture industry at the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner on Friday, 30 July. After a difficult 2020 in which we have struggled to connect, this year’s Gala Dinner provided an opportunity for attendees to reconnect and relax in the sparkling surrounds of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Plaza Ballroom. While enjoying their three-course meal, attendees were treated to an inspiring speech by Queensland’s Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner, the quickchange magic of Soul Mystique, the comedic stylings of Lindsay Webb, and the toe-tapping music provided by AF Entertainment. The ever-popular caricaturist was back along with a photo booth celebrating Brismark’s 80th birthday. The evening was made possible by Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark, who thank major sponsors Toyota Material Handling, Origin Energy, Hopgood Ganim Lawyers, SBP Australia, SUEZ, and Crisp Power & Control.
The Plaza Ballroom was draped
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in gold for the event.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner.
AF Entertainmen t even brought th eir own brass section!
Awarded for 40 years of service
P ROUDLY HO S T ED BY:
During the evening, awards were presented to those who had reached the remarkable achievement of being associated with Brisbane Markets for 40 years. Alwyn Weier
Julia DeSilva
Stephen Jory
Drew Armstrong
Lesley Bowers
Trevor Broadbent
Cameron Armstrong
Mark Cruse
Steve Aistrope
Gary Lavender
Paul Alroe
Willem Feenstra
John Colman
Paul O’Toole
Noel Joliffe
John Potter
Stephanie West
With thanks to our Major sponsors:
40 Year Service award recipients.
You can read more about the award recipients on pages 26 to 30.
The team from SBP Australia. BML Chair Tony Joseph, Maree Jo seph, Anthony Joseph, Julia Jo seph, Paul Joseph and Zana Joseph .
the crowd. b entertaining Lindsay Web
Winter 2021 FRESH SOURCE 25
In this edition, Fresh Perspectives caught up with the 2021 40 Year Service Award winners to gather their reflections on their time at Brisbane Produce Market.
Loving market life for 40 years For those who have spent more than 40 years at the Brisbane Produce Market, there’s no denying that the biggest attraction to the job is the people: the characters that you get to meet every day and the friendships that are built over time. “You get all types, it is the interaction with the people that attracts you to this business,” Gary Lavender, wholesaler principal at Lavender and Sons, said. “I love the camaraderie, there’s competition but 98% of the people can let work go and socialise. A lot of good friendships have been built over time with people you would have never met without the market. It’s so much fun to work with the growers, even if they send to someone else, I place a lot of value on those friendships,” Cameron Armstrong, wholesaler principal at Armstrong Bros, said.
enjoy coming to work so early in the morning, most of the 2021 40 Year Service Award recipients appreciated the work life balance that the business hours provided.
limited education, but who is street-wise, honest and ethical, can make a name for themselves and build up to the point where they can get a partnership and eventually own their own business”.
“I love the lifestyle you get when you work at Brisbane Produce Market: I love the early mornings and getting the afternoons to myself, it’s great,” Julia DeSilva, H.E. Heather and Co’s office manager, said.
It doesn’t hurt that those who work in the Brisbane Produce Market are proud of their position in the horticulture supply chain with a common goal of ensuring that Australian families have access to the fresh fruit and vegetables they need to be healthy.
“If you can handle the hours then it’s a good lifestyle for the family, which is great,” Trevor Broadbent, vegetable salesperson at Montague, said. Many acknowledged that it was one of the few work environments that allows you to find your niche and thrive or work your way up from a labourer to a business owner with hard work and determination.
“There are a lot of good people, a lot of larrikins, but everyone helps each other in times of trouble. It’s such a beautiful business that way. Even though we’re all competitors, everyone still pulls together when there’s a problem,” John Potter, retired wholesaler, said.
For Steph West, it was a knack for cashiering that made her stick with her career and has ensured she has never been without a job, while Julia DeSilva grabbed the opportunity to increase her skill set, and job responsibilities, along the way. For Alwyn Weier - a retired retailer, wholesaler and transporter - a childhood dream of owning a fruit and vegetable shop became a reality, while for Country Road Produce principal, Mark Cruse, a stop-gap job turned into a career.
“Every day is different because you get to talk to different people about different things. I enjoy the people I get to work with every day. I never wake up thinking I don’t want to go to work today,” Steve Aistrope, salesperson at Murray Bros, said.
According to Mr Armstrong, there came a realisation that “if you work hard at the fruit game you can build up a solid business and make a quality living. You won’t become a billionaire but you can live comfortably, buy your own home and educate your children”.
While it is difficult for people outside of the market to understand why people
Mr Potter agreed, saying, “It’s one of the few businesses where a person with
There’s something about the atmosphere of the Brisbane Produce Market that makes people want to come to work each day and the diversity of roles and responsibilities is also a big drawcard.
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“From the growers to the logistics companies, the forklift operators and the labourers to the wholesalers and retailers: it’s important that everything flows right the way through to the consumer,” Mr Weier said. While some are nostalgic for the past, most recognise the benefits that change has brought over time. “The markets are a lot safer today and there have been a lot of improvements to the roads so it is less dangerous. Having a yearly induction has been a great improvement too, because it provides a regular refresher of the rules,” forklift operator John Colman said. “Everything has been modernised now and it’s great. I’ve grown with the times and not fought it, I’ve liked the change,” Mrs DeSilva said. With sales slowly moving from face-toface interactions to telephone orders in the middle of the night, the once-hectic Central Trading Area has settled into a new rhythm. “Technology and the way we do business has changed since I started. There’s a lot more involved now. We take orders at midnight, whereas you would never do that in the past,” Mr Lavender said.
According to Mr Aistrope, the move to phone orders has changed the way the sales team operates. “It’s not as easy to upsell anymore, because you’re not always talking to people face-to-face to be able to provide suggestions,” Mr Aistrope said.
After 20 years with very little time off, Mr Weier needed a break so moved up to the Sunshine Coast and took a few months off before finally returning to the markets and becoming a partner in Pershouse Produce and Peter Kedwell Enterprises until his recent retirement.
Mrs West praised Brismark’s Credit Service as being a drawcard of the Brisbane Produce Market.
“It’s nearly impossible to keep up with all the government requirements yourself and having that working knowledge, which is always updated and fresh, only a phone call away is wonderful. Being able to hand all those services over to a trusted party is very effective for us,” Mr O’Toole said.
Alwyn Weier Retired Alwyn Weier was born and bred in the Lockyer Valley and by 1970 was working on farms and for a produce company in Gatton.
Drew and Cameron Armstrong Principals, Armstrong Bros Milton Armstrong, father of Cameron and Drew, had three pharmacies when the boys finished high school in the mid-70s and purchased Cut Price stores in Ipswich and started selling fruit lines. The brothers would head to the Brisbane Produce Market during school holidays to buy fruit for the stores. Drew and Cameron were given the opportunity to operate a Fruit Barn in Woodridge in 1977 and when they sold that business, they both started working in the markets, Cameron at COD Bananas and Drew for Doug Staples. When Ian and Rob Robson started Interharvest, the brothers joined them and took up an opportunity to run their three fruit shops. Drew and Cameron worked there until 1984, when they joined with Peter Kedwell to purchase FC Gesler from Ian Mallice and created Armstrong Bros. “Eventually, dad purchased Peter Kedwell’s share of the business so Armstrong Bros became Drew, Cameron and Milton Armstrong until dad retired in 2000,” Cameron said.
“The first time I ever drove into the Brisbane Produce Market gate was a Sunday morning in 1972 when I was 17. I was on my learners licence and I had a load of potatoes from the Lockyer Valley in the back,” Mr Weier said. From there, he started working for Geoff Meharg, buying produce and transporting it to northern Queensland. When Geoff took over a struggling fruit shop in Armidale, NSW, Mr Weier headed down to manage it, eventually buying the business for himself and fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning his own fruit and vegetable shop in the process.
“My first job was weighing beans and peas. They used to be in 20/40 kg bags,” Mr Lavender said. After J. Allen’s, he went to W.M. Guttormsen and then branched into retail with Bill George during his partnership with Don Alroe at Alroe and George. When Mr George purchased Ireland’s 18, Mr Lavender ran the business for him and eventually purchased the business outright.
“The introduction of the Credit Service in 1973 was absolutely fabulous, the system is brilliant and totally changed the way we worked,” Mrs West said. Along with praising the Credit Service, O’Toole Produce principal, Paul O’Toole, also praised Brismark’s Business Services, saying that it was impossible for a small business to employ extra staff solely to provide specialised services such as workplace health and safety training, human resources or even debt collection.
drinks to the men from the markets from 6am to 10pm. The owner of J. Allen at the time, Peter Scott, offered Mr Lavender a job and that was his big start.
Gary Lavender Principal, Lavender & Sons
G.W. Lavender and Sons then merged with Barry Smith’s B.V. Smith Pty Ltd to become S and L Fruit and Vegetable Trading Company. S and L was disbanded and Mr Lavender started Lavender and Sons, a business that continues to this day.
John Colman Forklift Operator, Alfred E Chave John Colman has worked at Brisbane Produce Market since he was 15 years old, when his father got him a job at a ‘pick it over’ shed at Building P. “Trucks used to pull up and we used to unload potatoes and onions by hand. Then we’d run them through the ‘pick it over’ machine that would pick out the bad ones before rebagging and stacking them on pallets,” Mr Colman said. Once forklifts became a regular feature in the markets, Mr Colman became an operator, driving for M.J. Devaney (now Favco), Wilson’s Fresh (now It’s Fresh), Cocos, Ireland Vegetable Specialists, Direct Produce and Central Park Produce. After leaving the market for a period to become a full-time carer for his wife and children, Mr Colman made his way back, returning to work for Bob Wilson. After that, John worked for Garden Verde and Gibb Bros for three years each before finally settling into his current role at Alfred E. Chave.
As a 19-year-old, Gary Lavender worked at the Brisbane Markets Club, serving
Winter 2021 FRESH SOURCE 27
Perspectives her Advanced Diploma in Accounting – then taking on the role as accountant herself. “It’s a different world at Brisbane Produce Market and it’s changed massively since I’ve been here. At the beginning, everything was done on paper and we used to have one computer for the whole business. It was all very manual and hands on,” Mrs DeSilva said.
John Potter Retired John Potter started at the markets in 1966 as a labourer on the COD’s selling floor, where he stayed for over ten years.
When the business was sold to a company based in Sydney, she moved to H.E. Heather and Co where she has been for 11 years.
From there, he moved to United Fruit, working his way up to become a partner and shareholder and started United Lettuce on behalf of the company. Following that, he went into business with Ian and Rob Robson starting John Potter Lettuce. After many years, Mr Potter took on the role of manager for Ted Beaton at H.E. Heather and Co for well over 10 years, eventually becoming a shareholder. “I had a great partnership with Ted. Then I ended up taking over one and a half sections, starting John Potter Pty Ltd, which ended up being purchased by Mark Murphy,” Mr Potter said. After selling his business, Mr Potter continued his relationship with the market through his work as a volunteer for Foodbank and as a shareholder of Brisbane Markets Limited. “Working at Brisbane Markets is the greatest thing in my life. I’m proud to still be associated with the markets. What a great industry to be involved in,” Mr Potter said.
Lesley Bowers Administration, M & D Vegetable Specialists Lesley Bowers started working in accounts for J.E. Tipper when she was 21. “I’d been working in the city, and when you turned 21 you were classified as senior, so businesses would put on a junior instead. I found the job through an employment agency at Moorooka and I stayed there for five years,” Ms Bowers said. She then worked for Comino Bros before leaving the market for a year. On her return, she worked at Ireland Vegetable Specialist and then moved to Ross & Co for 23 years before starting her current position with M & D Vegetable Specialists.
While at Baird’s she worked her way up until she was working directly for the company’s accountant and completed
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Mark Cruse had just come back from travelling overseas with Theo Comino and was looking for a job after spending a decade in the insurance industry. Theo’s father Stavri offered him a job at Comino Bros, pushing a barrow a few days a week to tie him over until he discovered what he wanted to do.
After sticking with Comino for a few years, Mr Cruse worked in sales roles at Shamrock Marketing and J.E. Tipper before establishing his own business fulfilling country orders for three retail shops. Almost 25 years later and the business has grown to service customers throughout NSW and Queensland, as well as exporting to Papua New Guinea and suppling the US Navy when they are in port.
Paul Alroe Principal, Don Alroe & Sons Paul Alroe followed in his father’s footsteps to join the family business in the Brisbane Produce Market and was put to work learning the ropes.
DID YOU KNOW?
“I first started labouring, with the blue apron. I did all the office work and accounts, in those days it was all pen and paper. Then I was a forklift operator, and then, in my third year, he got me on the floor selling. My favourite has always been on the floor selling,” Mr Alroe said.
117 Brisbane Produce Market identities have been presented with 40 Year Service Awards.
Other than running a business on the Gold Coast supplying restaurants in the late 70s, Paul has spent his whole career based in the Brisbane Produce Market.
Julia DeSilva Julia DeSilva started at the market when she was 16, after being recommended to Baird Produce by her neighbour, Maurie Goffman. The very next day she started as a cashier.
Principal, Country Road Produce
“As usually happens when you get into the markets, I never left!” Mr Cruse said.
“Being in an office in the Brisbane Produce Market is really good, because you don’t focus on only one area - you do a bit of everything and it’s quite varied,” Ms Bowers said.
Office Manager, H.E. Heather & Co
Mark Cruse
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Perspectives the middle of the night worried because I couldn’t remember where I’d put mine. I was worried about losing my trolley!” He has now been at Murray Bros for 25 years.
Paul O’Toole
Stephen Jory
Director, O’Toole Produce
Vegetable & Sales Manager, Montague
Hailing from the Illowa region of Victoria, Paul O’Toole’s family were trading merchants in an area known for its vegetables due to the rich, volcanic soil.
Stephen Jory was working in a supermarket when his boss, Tony Sirianni, said “you’re a good talker, we’re going to take you to the market to be a salesman”.
When the yields from local growers reduced from 30 trailers a week to only three trailers a week, Mr O’Toole started making inquiries about becoming a primary wholesaler within a Central Market.
“I was about 14 and I came out to a company called G.H Shaw. I was selling pawpaws, but was also bagging potatoes and onions,” Mr Jory said.
“I chose Brisbane because over 30% of our sales were already going into Queensland. When I brought up the move with my other clients, they felt I could serve them better within the Brisbane Markets because I could get a better feel for the pricing and compare with competing produce. It has been a wonderful move for us,” Mr O’Toole said.
He returned to work for Sun Citrus and when they closed, Mr Jory went to work for Montague, where he has been comfortably settled for over six years.
Sales - Vegetables, Montague Trevor Broadbent’s connection with Brisbane Produce Market began when he was 22 and started a couple of fruit shops in Ipswich. “I really enjoyed the market side of the operation, and got out of the fruit shops and came here,” Mr Broadbent said. After doing the buying for Jojo’s Restaurant, he started at BG Brisbane with Bill George. From there he worked at the COD through its change to Sunshine Produce. He worked at M & D Vegetable Specialists for about 18 years, before working at Sun Citrus, LaManna and, for the past six years, Montague.
Steve Aistrope
Steph West
Sales, Murray Bros
Accounts, Rising Sun Produce When Steph West finished Year 12 in 1966, a girlfriend arranged for her to get a job in the markets and in 1967 she started at R. Profke Produce. She has worked in a lot of different businesses over her time at Brisbane Produce Market, including W.S. Williams and H.E. Heather and Co. In 2015, Mrs West retired and travelled overseas for a while but on her return she received a call from Rising Sun Produce and took up their offer of returning to the markets. Mrs West is semi-retired and only works one day a week, an arrangement that suits her lifestyle.
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Mr Siriani bought the business and Mr Jory continued with the company as it changed hands a number of times before eventually becoming M & D Vegetable Specialists, where he worked for 18 years.
Trevor Broadbent
Winter 2021
Steve Aistrope first came to the market with his father who had a door-to-door fruit truck and Ireland’s Fruit Exchange asked if he would like to give working at the market a go. Mr Aistrope started sweeping the floor and picking orders, and he was asked to look after the picking operations from the shed. From there he wrote to Peter Ireland, asking if he could become a salesman on the selling floor. “When I first started there, there were no pallets, no pump jacks, no forklift, no coldrooms, no warehouses – nothing like what there is today,” Mr Aistrope said. “Each salesman was in charge of his own barrow, and I remember waking up in
Willem Feenstra Director, Paradise Point Fruit Mart Willem Feenstra’s father Jack was in fruit before him, so he followed his dad into the markets when he was 16 and has stayed in the game ever since. First, his father had a shop in Strathpine before they moved to Redcliffe. From there the business shifted to the Gold Coast and Mr Feenstra has now had the same shop for 32 years. “It is the character of the market that keeps you going back and enjoying it. The day I lose that spring in my step and don’t feel like going to the market anymore, that’s when I’ll give it away.”
Erbacher’s rewarded with gong for Queensland’s Retailer of the Year Operating out of an old chicken shed on the family farm for over 70 years, it would be easy to say that the success of Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables is due to the multigenerational relationships the family has built with its customers over the years. However, the company’s Marketing Manager, Angelina Campbell, knows that keeping the team informed and engaged also plays a big factor. Erbacher’s, based in Diddillibah on the Sunshine Coast, was Queensland’s state winner - and national runner up - in the A better choice! Shop & Win competition. The competition saw customers nominating their local store for the Retailer of the Year award and received more than 23,000 nominations nationally, with Erbacher’s receiving more than 2,000 nominations. “We’ve been operating since the 1950s, so we’re very well-known and have a strong presence in the community,” Mrs Campbell said. “A lot of our customers are loyal, long-term customers; there’s so much family around at Erbacher’s, and they form a relationship with the family, and then with their families - it’s multigenerational relationships. We pride ourselves on looking after our customers, and they treat us well in return.” But communication with staff is key, she said. “When the Shop & Win campaign started, we communicated it to our staff,” Mrs Campbell said. “We’ve learned along the way that communication is key, and we communicated and supported our team through the competition. “First, we sent out an email to everyone, and then we communicated faceto-face each day as well. We are huge for a fruit and veg store, and we have a big team – there’s around 66 people, so it can be hard to catch everyone at one time. “But, it all comes down to our team – we can communicate as much as we want, but without the team and everyone striving together, we couldn’t do it. The girls at the checkout do such a great job – they’re the ones out there telling the customers about it.”
Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables part owner, Stephen Erbacher, and the store’s Shop & Win prize winner, Hayley Plowright. You can meet the other prize winners on page 33.
Queensland’s Top Ten 1. Erbacher Fruit & Veg (2nd in Australia) 2. Betros Bros (5th in Australia) 3. Mega Fresh Browns Plains (8th in Australia) 4. Brady’s Fruit 5. Ashgrove Fresh Fruit Market 6. Feast on Fruit and Delicatessen 7. Top Spot Fruit Mart 8. Carina Megafresh 9. Crispy Carrot 10. Chandler Megafresh Winter 2021 FRESH SOURCE 31
RETAILING
Campaign proves a winner for all By James Patrick, National Program Manager, A better choice!
Even before it was finished, the A better choice! (ABC) Shop & Win campaign proved to be a winner for all involved. The ABC team was honoured to receive the 2021 PMA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year Award, sponsored by Seeka, during Hort Connections (see page 6 for more details). This award recognises the dedication and hard work the team puts into an initiative with such significant importance for independent retailers nationwide. ABC was established as a joint initiative by industry groups Fresh Markets Australia and the Central Markets Association of Australia in recognition of the importance of the local fruit and veg shop and the need for promotion of the sector and representation on a national level given the growing competition from the large supermarket chains. Independent retailers are such a large and important part of the history of this great industry and when they prosper it benefits growers across the nation and the whole Central Market supply chain that Australian consumers rely on, even if they don’t know about it. Shop & Win was born from a desire to drive foot traffic into participating member retail stores. While always an overarching objective of ABC, the competition included a quantitative financial measurement factor with entrants having to upload their receipt with their competition entry.
180,000
social media followers
4.9 m
70,000
email subscribers
250,000
people reached
unique website visits
87%
346,278
This campaign used omnichannel marketing, including radio, geotargeted paid advertising, organic social posting and influencers as well as in-store point-of-sale (POS) material. We focused our promotions on existing social channels and digital platforms, geotargeting advertisements to the specific postcodes and surrounding postcodes of each affiliated independent retailer, targeting women aged 25-60 who live in or travel through those areas.
new website users
entries
We utilised 15 influencers nationally, who covered a wide variety of interests from chefs, mummy bloggers, to AFLW players and comedians. This allowed us to reach a larger, more diverse group of people who were likely to be the primary household shopper. Radio ads utilised a Scottish accent, which has been found to be more appealing to the target audience, to grab the audience’s attention and inform them of the competition along with encouraging them to shop at their local fruit and veg shop. POS material included posters, shelf wobblers, counter pad flyers and floor decals with each having a unique QR code which identified the state and POS material so that we could monitor the best performing merchandise and pass that information along to the retail stores. ABC is currently working on our spring campaign concept, with the goal of emphasising the value independent fruit and veg stores have to their local communities. It astonishes me how much these stores have been supporting their local communities and, especially, local sporting groups. We plan to shout it from the rooftops and make sure everyone knows about the great work these stores have been doing for their local communities.
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23,282 entrants
$36.28
average spend ($8 higher than previous research suggested)
331
stores nationwide
$844,723
spent by consumers who entered the competition
Queensland’s luck quadrupled The award-winning A better choice! (ABC) Shop & Win campaign saw four Queenslanders score a win in the weekly prize stakes for nominating their local fruit and veg store. Kendry Corcut was Queensland’s first winner and she was over the moon with her prize, a Nintendo Switch. Ms Corcut originally wasn’t going to enter the competition at Crisp on Creek in Mt Gravatt East, but her sister encouraged her to take the plunge.
Ashgrove Fresh Fruit Market co-owners, Nic and Angelos with Shop & Win competition winner, Kimberley Roberts.
Kimberley Roberts, a regular Ashgrove Fresh Fruit Market customer, was delighted to be the second Queensland prizewinner. “I shop at Ashgrove Fresh Fruit Market all the time. The produce is so fresh, and the staff are wonderful. I’m an amateur photographer, so the Olympus Mirrorless Camera is perfect for me. Thank you to Ashgrove Fresh Fruit Market and A better choice!” Ms Roberts said. The success didn’t end there with Stella Crisp winning a Breville Slow Juicer. Ms Crisp couldn’t hide her excitement when she collected her prize from Earth Markets at The Pines. “I was so happy and grateful to win the prize. I shop at The Earth Markets at The Pines because I know I am buying top quality produce, which is important to me,” Ms Crisp said. The fourth winner, Hayley Plowright, was also ecstatic and was rewarded for entering with an Instax Camera and Film kit. “I was so pleased to win the prize, thank you to A better choice! and Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables!” Ms Plowright said.
The Earth Markets store manager Josh with Stella Crisp.
The Shop & Win campaign had high retailer engagement and participation with a clear objective of driving foot traffic into stores, clearly showing that ABC is not just about advocacy or brand awareness but aims to directly aid the number of consumers visiting independent retailers.
DID YOU KNOW? A better choice! retailers can access the same services as Brismark members? This includes work health and safety, human resources, industrial relations, food safety, quality assurance, recruitment and training courses support. Crisp on Creek’s Alex Habchi with prize winner Kendry Corcut.
Make the connection DESIGN • WEB • PRINT
07 3040 4343 | EFFIGY.COM.AU PROUD DESIGNERS OF FRESH SOURCE MAGAZINE
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RETAILING
Leveraging the produce report Utilising the power of community radio to promote his retail fruit and veggie store, Chris Tonks-Foote from Skippy’s Fresh Frootz and Skippy’s Farmhouse is a natural when it comes to speaking over the airwaves. During his weekly spot on Bay FM 100.3 community radio, which covers the Redland Coast and broader bayside area, Mr Tonks-Foote uses the Brisbane Produce Report as a springboard to connect their store to the local community. “The report is valuable to us as we can share it with our staff, and they are more informed about where the produce comes from that we source daily from the Brisbane Markets,” Mr Tonks-Foote said.
Skippy’s Fresh Frootz store manager Elijah Eletri and owner Chris Tonks-Foote pouring over the Brisbane Produce Report.
“In turn, consumers are made aware of the food chain through us actively promoting it to the Bay FM 100.3 listener base.”
The report educates consumers to buy fresh produce from their local fruit and veg store, encourages increased fruit and veg consumption, and raises awareness of Brisbane Markets’ role in the supply chain.
The report is produced in-house by Brismark. Data is collected from the Brisbane Produce Market floor weekly and confirmed for veracity with growers, wholesalers and retailers. Data collection includes information on supply and demand, growing regions, and environmental issues that may affect the supply of produce.
It is shared with over 50 A better choice! program retailers and sent to media outlets across Queensland. Brisbane Markets Limited also uses the report as the basis for their conversations with Kate O’Toole on ABC Radio Brisbane’s Saturday Breakfast program. The report is available for download each week at brismark.com.au and news.brisbanemarkets.com.au.
Retailers answer call for help Several A better choice! (ABC) retailers answered the call to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Mini Golf Day in May for children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). “The generosity of the A better choice! retailers: Superior Fruit in Graceville, Ashgrove Fresh Fruit Market, Rode Fresh in Stafford Heights, Skippy’s Fresh Frootz in Victoria Park and Fruit Bros in Taigum, to donate fruit was appreciated,” said Tamara Aitchison, JDRF Fundraising and Engagement Manager.
Angelo Angelis from Ashgrove Fresh Fruit ready to donate.
The retailers donated fresh produce for the event lunch, including mandarins, pears, apples, bananas, strawberries, grapes and watermelon. The ABC team also donated fruit and vegetable produce guides and branded water bottles. The event catered for 150 people, including children and families, who enjoyed a fun day in a relaxed environment. It was also a chance for parents with children with T1D to connect and share their stories. JDRF’s mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. It works tirelessly to change the reality of this disease for millions of people—by funding research, advocating for government support of research and new therapies, ensuring new treatments come to market, and connecting and engaging the T1D community. Laky Augustakis from Superior Fruit in Graceville receives his certificate of appreciation from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Kerrie Arnaud. 34 FRESH SOURCE
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PROUDLY SUPPORTING 560 INDEPENDENT FRUIT AND VEGETABLE RETAILERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFITS: Representation in your local community Multi-channel marketing campaigns Managed digital and social media presence In-store promotions and point of sale materials Discounted business services
www.abetterchoice.com.au
Voicing the needs of Bundaberg’s growers Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) new Chair, Joe Lyons, knows what it is like to have to make tough decisions. His family’s farming business has had to pivot from cattle and cropping, to banana growing and, finally, to avocados and macadamias in the wake of drought, disease and, now, the added pressure of insecure water supply due to the capacity reduction of Paradise Dam. Having a say when faced with issues that impact the region’s growers provided a prompt to become involved with BFVG, first as a director in 2012 leading to becoming Chair in 2020.
banana blocks we replaced them with avocados, to the point now we have a much larger avocados operation than we ever were in bananas, in a hectare rate,” he said The Lyons chose to grow both shepard and hass avocados, providing an extended season from late February through to the end of July that runs concurrently with their macadamia crop. The decision was made based on the availability of a secure water supply.
“If you start having an unreliable irrigation system or lose that water security, then there’s going to be some really tough decisions made in the future. We don’t want to see our trees die, we want to see the Dam’s lost capacity get reinstated.”
The Lyons family made the move to Bundaberg from western Queensland 20 years ago, after years of battling drought in their broadacre cropping and cattle enterprise. The move to grow ladyfinger bananas was a steep learning curve.
According to Mr Lyons one of the main challenges they have faced is improving the soil across their property and the lessons learnt from their banana growing days haven’t been forgotten.
The decision was made to grow avocados and macadamias at their property at Electra, west of Bundaberg. “For the next six years, as we pulled out
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“From a farmer’s point of view, I can assure you that 99% of farmers are environmentalists as well. They want to look after the land, we’re not here to abuse it.”
“Paradise Dam provided the water security needed to give growers the confidence that they could move their businesses forward,” Mr Lyons said.
“A lot of decisions that affect growers get made in the big cities, it is very easy for us to be left out of the conversation. It is very important to have advocates like BFVG to make sure that our voices are heard by all levels of government,” Mr Lyons said.
“We discovered we had Panama Tropical Race 1 in our ladyfingers so we had to make a shift. We looked at what crops were suited to our land and soil types that we enjoyed eating because then we knew other people would enjoy eating them too,” Mr Lyons said.
more targeted to our needs and better on the environment, which is a plus for everyone.
“Avocados have a very weak root system, so they need good drainage and plenty of water in the same breath. We’ve put a lot of work into increasing our organic matter in our soils that provides a bit of a buffer, especially when you have extremes in seasons, going from drought to high rainfall,” Mr Lyons said. “Along with improving the soil quality we have also improved our resistance to soil borne diseases as well. With pests such as fruit spotting bug, we are now getting into chemistry that is
New Chair at Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Joe Lyons.
New direction, new opportunities By Ry Collins, General Manager, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association
Having recently joined Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) as their General Manager, I’ve come to the association having spent much of my career in economic and business development roles delivering initiatives and projects to support business across a range of industries and helping them interface with government. Over my time I’ve focused on being able to pull businesses and people together to understand and highlight their priorities, addressing common challenges and mapping a path forward to realise opportunities and potential. With some previous involvement with BGGA and other local agribusiness, I recognised the potential for the horticulture industry to lead the recovery from COVID-19 and be a driving force for future economic growth in the Whitsundays, the Burdekin and in Northern Australia, which has played a key part in leading me to join the association. So far much of my time has been spent on meeting new people, gaining a grasp on our operations and projects, and seeking to understand the needs of our local farmers from the ground up.
We have a strong portfolio of projects underway supporting on-farm and off-farm practice, ranging from regional workforce development, industry development and research, export readiness, and technology to enhancing the profile of the industry in our local community. I’ve undertaken a number of visits out to many of our member farms who are busy with winter harvest. Although we, like many regions, are experiencing challenges this year with labour supply, the willingness of farming businesses to respond and adapt has been exceptional with many businesses embracing new sources of labour, adopting new technology and looking at other ways they can mitigate the impacts on their business. I’ve quickly come to understand that this ability to respond and adapt is a virtue of many farming businesses and one that will serve them well into the future as the industry continues to grow. In forging new connections it’s been a real eye opener seeing the diversity of operations, collaboration and innovation that goes on in the background to support the horticulture industry and ensure high quality fresh produce
gets from farm to market and to end consumers. The recent Hort Connections conference has been a highlight, providing a great opportunity for someone new to the sector to meet key businesses, researchers, officials, supply chain partners and generally be engulfed in a wealth of industry experience and information on what is going on in the sector nationally. Moving BGGA forward, we will look to implementing a new strategic plan for the association that focuses on delivering the support that is needed by local growers and expands the breadth of strategic projects we deliver to enhance grower capability. Importantly, we will also solidify our connection with our industry partners and government to support the growth of the industry in our region. I hope to connect with many more people from industry soon. If any of you would like to connect to discuss work or working together I’d enjoy the opportunity to catch up and I can be contacted on rycollins@ bowengumlugrowers.com.au.
Coote takes the helm at AUSVEG With the resignation of James Whiteside, AUSVEG has appointed Michael Coote as its new CEO. Mr Coote had held the role of National Manager - Export Development since 2014, leading and transforming the industry’s export activities with a strong focus on grower capability building and market engagement to grow the industry’s trade to high-impact markets. AUSVEG Chair, Bill Bulmer, said the appointment of Mr Coote to the role of CEO was an exciting opportunity for the organisation and testament to the high calibre of leadership that exists within the AUSVEG team. “Michael is well-known to the Australian vegetable and potato industry. During his time at AUSVEG, Michael has demonstrated exceptional skills in
management, leadership and stakeholder engagement that have helped improve the outlook of exporting for Australian vegetable growers in key markets,” Mr Bulmer said. “The AUSVEG Board undertook an independent recruitment process that identified several strong candidates, but Michael’s affinity to the industry, his deep understanding of how the industry operates, his networks across the supply chain and his vision for the future of the organisation and the broader industry make him the ideal person to lead AUSVEG for years to come”. Mr Bulmer also paid tribute to outgoing CEO, James Whiteside, who has been a strong advocate for efficient and effective representation at national and state levels.
AUSVEG’s new CEO, Michael Coote.
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Industry
Succession sees new Citrus Chair Citrus grower Richard Byllaardt has taken on the role of Chair of Citrus Australia following the decision by Ben Cant to step down after three years in the position. Mr Cant has been appointed Deputy Chair as part of a succession plan. Mr Byllaardt has served on the Citrus Australia Board for four years and served as Deputy Chair for the past three. “It is a privilege to be appointed to this position and I would like to acknowledge the work of outgoing Chair, Ben Cant, and former Chair, Tania Chapman. Their leadership over the past 10 years has been instrumental in building the technical capabilities of Citrus Australia that benefit growers nationwide,” Mr Byllaardt said. “I look forward to travelling to all our citrus regions – from Manjimup in south west WA to Dimbulah in Far North Queensland – and talking to growers to hear how we can address issues that would benefit their business. I hope my
own experience as a grower, who has dealt with everything from planting trees through to developing customers in export markets, will provide some benefit in these discussions.” Mr Byllaardt was a co-owner and the former Managing Director of Seven Fields and, together with Greg McMahon, grew the company to become one of the largest citrus growers in Australia with sites in Sunraysia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. As head of growing and marketing, he travelled regularly to key export markets, establishing a network of people around the world in the citrus industry. He said maintaining and growing current export markets would be a key focus. Outgoing Chair, Ben Cant, congratulated Mr Byllaardt on his election and thanked him for his support over the past four years. “Citrus Australia has grown from a facilitator of research and development
New Chair of Citrus Australia Richard Byllaardt.
for growers, and leader in market access, to a strong advocate for growers’ rights to all levels of government,” Mr Chant said. “Farming has always been a multifaceted business and this is increasingly so. I’m proud that Citrus Australia reflects this in its representation of growers at all levels – by leading where R&D is needed, and also what governments should prioritise. “We have faced many challenges in the past three years, in particular the citrus canker outbreak in the Northern Territory and the impacts of the pandemic on industry. It has been an honour to lead an organisation that always puts its members and growers first.”
Delivering investments with impact By Dr Olive Hood, Regional Extension Manager for Northern Australia, Hort Innovation As Hort Innovation’s Regional Extension Manager for Northern Australia, I’ve been busy over the last couple of months connecting with growers, researchers and others involved in the horticulture industry. I’d like to share a couple of highlights from some of these recent visits and efforts made to deliver impactful investments for the horticulture sector.
New investments to tackle fall armyworm Hort Innovation has gone to tender for a project aimed at supporting the communities most impacted by fall armyworm in Northern Australia. The aim is to accelerate the development and adoption of novel management strategies. The Hort Innovation-funded project, ‘Identifying potential parasitoids of fall armyworm (MT19015)’, is also working to support the horticulture industry with management strategies for this pest. 38 FRESH SOURCE
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High-density mango crops As part of Hort Innovation’s Hort Frontiers investment, ‘Intensification in Horticulture Program (AS18000)’, a field day on high density mango canopy training was held by QDAF at Walkamin Research Station. The field day showcased the potential of high productivity, precision input and robotically managed tropical production systems.
2021 Banana Congress Banana Congress showcased the collegiality and capability of the Australian banana industry. A tour of Howe Farming’s packing shed, along with the grower innovation panels, demonstrated the increasing sophistication of banana businesses and horticultural production systems. Our tour of Cairns based FNQ Food
incubator left the impression that with this infrastructure and support northern horticultural value adding is only just a concept away.
Introducing Wendy Thorsborne Wendy Thorsborne, who is based in Murgon, has recently joined the Hort Innovation Extension Team as Regional Extension Manager for North-East Australia. She will be working across the north-east region, which runs from Rockhampton in Queensland through to Bellingen in NSW, capturing the key growing regions of Bundaberg/Burnett, Lockyer Valley, Stanthorpe, Northern Rivers and Coffs Harbour. If you’d like to get in touch with Wendy, you can email her at wendy. thorsborne@horticulture.com.au.
No rest for Bundaberg’s advocates By Bree Grima, Managing Director, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers It’s been a busy quarter for the region and it’s warming to see so many events return so that growers can come together to connect and celebrate the industry. We feel for our regional cousins and hope that restrictions in those areas ease shortly.
Gala Dinner goes off with a bang The biennial BFVG Industry Gala Dinner literally went off with the bang of fireworks during the Cheshire Machinery Pre-Dinner Networking Event which then led into a regional celebration in the main event area. From regional produce displays to a cosy speakeasy break-out room, the 590-strong crowd was encouraged to network and celebrate the very essence of what the industry brings to the region. The centrepieces and tech displays including gobos - techy projections of sponsor logos on the walls - ensured the night was one to remember. The band had people up dancing and guest entertainer, self-titled unusualist and finalist in Australia’s Got Talent, Raymond Crowe wowed the crowd. Raymond’s YouTube performance ‘What a Wonderful World’ has gone viral and was a real experience to witness this live on stage in Bundaberg. I was also extremely honoured to announce on behalf of the BFVG Board that two new farming families were to be inducted as life members. The first farming family inducted operate Marto Farms. Keith and Karen Martens were both born and bred in Bundaberg. Mr Martens started working for Chave Enterprises in 1974 where he remained for 47 years before starting Marto Farms, which has a strong watermelon and zucchini program. The second family inducted were John and Linda Steemson of Littabella Pines who were also born and bred in Bundaberg. This family are second generation farmers and strong advocates that encourage youth to join the
industry. The family has always grown cane and additionally melons, pumpkins and, approximately 20 years ago, planted their first crop of pineapples.
Bundaberg Burnett on show In addition to the Gala Dinner, BFVG also attended the Bundaberg/Burnett Promotion Night, which is a yearly showcase of regional products and brands at Parliament House. The event is a unique opportunity to get in front of the 93 members of Queensland’s Legislative Assembly who take a well-deserved, if only short, break from their duties during sitting week to attend. Given it was also budget week, we had lots to discuss with the Members of Parliament who visited our booth.
In it for life: Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ newest life members John and Linda Steemson (Littabella Pines) and Karen and Keith Martens (Marto Farms).
Given the ongoing uncertainty with Paradise Dam, it was fitting we ensured all members of Parliament were aware of the challenges being faced by regional producers who draw from the Burnett subscheme who have commenced the water year with a 22% water allocation (see page 8 for more details). Water and food security are intricately linked and, for a growing region that is the largest supplier and growing region for five commodities (sweet potato, macadamia, passionfruit, chilli and avocado), it is vital that policy for water security moves beyond the immediate needs of the region towards plans to ensure producers in the region have capacity to expand to meet market demand.
The BFVG Board enjoying the Gala Dinner. Back row: Jamie Hansen, Craig Van Rooyen, Joe Lyons and Jim Randell. Front row: Andrew Lewis, Stacey Watson, Tina McPherson, Tom Redfern, Leanne Rudd. Absent: Anna Attard.
Water security supports healthy communities, jobs and productive economies, and we continue to call on the state government to reinstate Paradise Dam to its full supply level and additionally invest in upgrading the delivery infrastructure network to ensure water is delivered effectively to the 1,000+ customers that rely on this asset for their agribusiness.
Tireless advocates: BFVG’s Kylie Jackson and Bree Grima with the Vanderfield display at the Cheshire Machinery Pre-Dinner Networking Event.
Winter 2021 FRESH SOURCE 39
Improving the life of veggies at sea Queensland Government researchers are using simulated sea freight conditions to improve the performance of vegetables exported by ship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, said a new pilot project with AUSVEG aims to help producers export vegetables more reliably by sea to Asia and New Zealand. “COVID-19 travel restrictions have limited capacity for air freight so there’s substantial interest from vegetable exporters in the technical feasibility of sea freight,” Mr Furner said. “This is vital research to ensure growers remain competitive during the pandemic and to keep the industry on track to achieve a target of growing the value of vegetable exports to $400 million by 2025.” AUSVEG CEO, Michael Coote, said the value of national fresh vegetable exports dipped 6.3% in 2020 to $263 million, with volumes down 6.6% over the year. “While exports of some vegetable crops increased despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19, exports of highly perishable vegetables that have historically only been exported by air freight declined,” Mr Coote said.
using sea freight simulations to mimic export supply chain conditions,” Mr Layden said. “We’re testing a range of temperatures and atmospheric conditions over time in our purpose-built postharvest facilities and a range of packaging options that will better suit sea freight conditions.” Mr Layden said preliminary results from the studies are promising. “The quality and shelf life of broccoli for shipment to Japan and Taiwan can be improved using modified atmosphere bags where ice does not directly contact the broccoli,” he said. “We’ve demonstrated that sweet corn can be successfully exported by sea with the husk on which is preferred by Japanese customers and using controlled atmosphere containers to retain a fresh appearance. “Selecting the right variety of iceberg lettuce is critical to maximising quality and shelf for the voyage to Asia, while robust varieties and packaging is important for mixed loads of sweet corn and green beans bound for New Zealand.”
“The pandemic has disrupted both sea and air freight over the past 12 months, adding to the challenges that exporters have faced trying to continue servicing their customers in international markets. Capacity in the air freight network may take a number of years to return to pre-COVID levels, and it is anticipated that air freight prices won’t return to pre-pandemic rates in the foreseeable future.” Mr Coote said investigating opportunities to move product from air freight to sea freight to service a wider range of international markets may prove critical if the air freight network does not recover in the future. “This research project is important to provide vegetable exporters with additional insights into which export markets are technically viable by sea freight, and will help underpin short and longer-term export growth for the industry,” he said Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Director of Vegetables, Ian Layden, said researchers are working with leading Queensland producers of selected vegetables including broccoli, green beans, sweet corn and iceberg lettuce. “Pilot trials have been conducted at Gatton and Nambour 40 FRESH SOURCE
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Trialling techniques to improve the longevity of vegetables exported via sea is the focus of new research by the Queensland Government.
Carrot exports surge to $100 m Australian carrot exports rose more than 7% last year to become a $100 million industry. While exports of fresh vegetables were down overall in 2020, carrot exports increased in both volume and value. According to AUSVEG CEO, Michael Coote, as the hospitality and food sector was dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, more consumers were eating from home.
He said there was room for the industry to expand but labour issues, freight logistics, and rising regulatory costs were concerning. “We can grow a lot more product in Australia. It’s just a matter of finding a home for it, so export markets are where that growth can come from,” Mr Coote said.
“Retail demand went up considerably in a lot of countries, as it did in Australia, and carrots, as a staple vegetable that we use in the majority of dinners, did too. The same thing was happening in Singapore, Hong Kong and all of our major markets,” he said Mr Coote said more than 110,000 tonnes of carrots were exported last year with the majority sent to Asia and the Middle East. He said Western Australia accounted for 85% of carrot exports. “Carrot exports have continued to grow, especially in the past couple of years,” Mr Coote said. “Breaching that $100 million mark and getting over 110,000 tonnes of carrots out of Australia during challenging times and onto plates of international customers is a fantastic effort.”
Carrot exports have benefited from the rise in consumers eating at home during the health pandemic.
Costs continue to rise for exporters By Andréa Magiafoglou, CEO, Australian Horticultural Exporters’ and Importers’ Association It is fair to say that export is critically important for agriculture and is vital for the growth of Australian horticulture. As businesses are well aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to supply chains globally, and these impacts are likely to be felt for some time yet. In this environment, and overlayed by market uncertainty, exporters are exposed to increased risk and a raft of cumulative financial pressures extending from production through to substantially increased freight rates across sea and air. Given the ongoing situation, it is disappointing to report that from 1 July 2021, additional costs to export Australian produce are to be incurred following the approval of the 202122 Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) by the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management. For many export certification activities, such as registration fees, tonnage rates
and documentation, this will mean a 50% increase in fees and charges. Additional stepped increases are further proposed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) in coming years, as the Department moves towards full cost recovery by 2024. While understanding it is Australian Government policy to recover the cost of delivering export regulatory activities, the short consultation period and limited timeframe before implementation has made it challenging for businesses to review and prepare adequately for changes to the cost recovery arrangement in the current trading environment. Moving forward, DAWE will commence their next review of cost recovery arrangements in October 2021. In line with this, the Australian Horticultural Exporters’ and Importers’ Association (AHEIA) will continue to engage with the Department on the proposed stepped increases for export certification, and alignment of
regulatory services with the commercial requirements of horticultural exports. Other recent updates for horticultural exports include the successful renewal of Australia’s Country Recognition Agreement (CRA) with Indonesia, expanded food safety requirements for all fruit and vegetables to Thailand and approval of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment option to manage fruit flies on strawberries, scallopinis, honeydew melons, rockmelons and zucchinis exported to New Zealand from Australia. Annual import and export trade reports covering 28 commodities and 23 markets will soon be available to AHEIA members on the Association’s website. The AHEIA is a non-government and not-for-profit organisation, with a primary focus on advocacy to enhance the trade of horticultural produce in and out of Australia. For any membership queries, please contact AHEIA staff at admin@horticulturetrade.com.au.
Winter 2021 FRESH SOURCE 41
Export
Queensland shines at Export Awards Two Queensland horticultural exporters were recognised on Tuesday, 8 June, as part of the Queensland Horticulture Export Congress and Awards. Held in conjunction with Hort Connections, the Congress provided exporting and export-interested growers with an update on the latest Queensland export landscape, COVID disruptions and opportunities for export capability development. According to Growcom Chair, Belinda Adams, the Queensland Horticulture Export Awards provided an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and determination of the state’s exporters.
Export award winners: Steven Moffatt (Moffatt Fresh Produce), Belinda Adams (Growcom), Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Hon. Mark Furner, and Jade King (Green Valley Fingerlimes). Image: Brisbane Event Photographer
“The Awards were a chance for us to come together and recognise the outstanding achievements of our leading growers, and to celebrate the great work that our industry undertakes” she said. “Everyone who was nominated for an award has demonstrated their commitment to the industry and made valuable contributions to its ongoing growth and success. I’d like to congratulate our Award winners and thank them for their continued dedication to our industry.” Green Valley Fingerlimes, a premium grower of Champagne Red Fingerlimes on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, took out the award for New Exporter. At the start of the pandemic, Green Valley Fingerlimes saw the closure of many of their markets, but with the assistance of a Queensland Government Market Diversification and Resilience Grant, the company was able to buy a new blast chiller and freezer room, enabling the business to diversify from fresh only to frozen fingerlime products. Today, they currently export 20% of production to Singapore on a weekly basis and are looking to break into new markets that only accept frozen product, including Japan and the United States.
Export opinions: Judy Shepherd (Shepherd Citrus), Kees Versteeg (Qualipac), Shane Quinn (Mulgowie) and Dianne Tipping (Export Council of Australia) during the panel discussion ‘Fresh Produce Exporting. Image: Brisbane Event Photographer
Moffatt Fresh Produce was named Queensland Horticulture Exporter of the Year. Located in the picturesque Fassifern Valley, Moffatt Fresh Produce grow carrots and onions for both domestic and export markets. In 2015 they started to export directly from the farm and are now shipping direct to customers in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Moffatt Fresh Produce has been active in supporting a wide range of national industry export activities and actively collaborates with other growers to support the growth in export of Australian fresh vegetables.
DID YOU KNOW? Over 12% of Australia’s total annual fresh produce exports originated from Queensland in 2019/20. This equated to 97,288 tonnes with an export value of $335 million of fresh fruits and vegetables destined for international markets.
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Michael Coote (AUSVEG) presents to the Queensland Horticulture Export Congress during Hort Connections. Image: Brisbane Event Photographer
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