Queensland shines at Export Awards

from Fresh Source Winter 2021

Improving the life of veggies at sea

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. “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. 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.

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

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

Michael Coote (AUSVEG) presents to the Queensland Horticulture Export Congress during Hort Connections. Image: Brisbane Event Photographer