Australia's table grape industry will receive another five years of market access support to bolster industry sustainability and export efficiency. Led by the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA), the Hort Innovation levy-funded project will allow Australia's table grape industry to adapt and respond to evolving international trade requirements.
Funded by the table grape research and development levy with contributions from the Australian Government, the program builds on the strength of previous market access projects, which have facilitated the industry's export growth over the past 20 years.
Table grapes have developed an impressive export legacy over the past decade, with exports surging from 30,000 tonnes (valued at $80 million) in the early 2000s, to 152,500 tonnes (worth $623 million) in the 2019-2020 season.
Despite the rise in exports, the industry has faced challenges over the past few years, such as market instability, rising cost of production and trying climatic conditions. Reflecting on the success of the market access programs of the past, ATGA chief executive officer Jeff Scott recognised the program's timeliness and the opportunity it presented for industry.
"This five-year program aims to address current export challenges and mitigate future risks for producers and exporters to sustain and fortify the industry's long-standing and strong export position. Producing and exporting table grapes has never been without risk. However, as international market requirements change, it's important to preserve and enhance the industry's export status through education, communication, relationship-building, strategic planning, and compliance activities," Scott said.
Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said the market access program was a flagship investment for the table grape industry. "This new investment bolsters the table grape industry's position in established and emerging markets, addressing the challenge of sustaining and incrementally increasing export volumes. As production and trade of Australian table grapes continues to expand, this program will play a key part in safeguarding the industry's export approach, supporting growers to leverage export opportunities and ultimately ensuring the continued success of the industry."
The ATGA will continue its work within industry to improve market responsiveness through building export readiness and capacity, refining export compliance, advocating for improved market access conditions, communicating market intelligence, and strengthening in-market relationships.
The ATGA has delivered market access programs for the table grape industry since 2007. In 2024, the industry exported roughly 108,000 tonnes of table grapes, valued at more than $475 million, primarily to southeast Asia.
For more information:
Terryn Milner
Australian Table Grape Association
Tel: +61 438 316 339
[email protected]