HORTICULTURE exporters are set to benefit from a near $1.9 million Federal Government boost to market access initiatives.
The money is part of the Government’s Package Assisting Small Exporters programme.
The Package consists of three components- a rebate for eligible small exporters to assist with export registration charges for the 2014-15 financial year; a review of export fees and charges; and funding for projects that will help improve market access for small exporters.
Some of the major horticulture crops have been assisted.
The Australian Table Grape Association will receive $333,300 over three years to develop an online system to enable small exporters to get faster, simpler export accreditation.
Cherry Growers Australia will use a $237,670 three year grant to improve and enhance the industry’s Biosecurity Management Programme.
Citrus Australia will receive $108,617 over 12 months to develop an online export registration system for faster, simpler export accreditation
A two-year $220,000 grant goes to Summerfruit Australia to create a pest and disease control strategy.
The Australian Mango Industry Association picks up a 12-month $87,560 grant to develop a marketing plan to prioritise the strategic direction for exports.
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries receives $92,400 for a 12-month study into innovative air freight packaging to improve the shelf life of green leafy vegetables.
Fruit Growers Victoria will receive a 12-month $41,472 grant to help South Australian growers increase their knowledge of exporting and better understand supply chain logistics.
A three-year $250,000 grant goes to Avocados Australia to develop a market access strategy for Asia and the Middle East.
A two-year $95,255 grant for Ausveg will help it develop a training package for the vegetable growers in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia to increase growers’ skills in exporting.
The Central Victorian Exporters Network receives $275,000 over two years to set up an advisory service in the state, providing structured business support to agribusinesses to become export ready.
Cedar Flowers secures a 12-month $117,095 grant to assess the efficacy of a wildflower fumigant, vapormate, which may have wider benefits for other horticultural products.
Horticulture fared better than other commodities within the suite of announcements, with about $930,000 going to small seafood exporters, more than $1.1 million to small grain exporters, $984,500 to small dairy businesses and $350,000 to kangaroo exporters.
According to the Australian Horticultural Exporters Association (AHEA), in 2014/15 Australia exported more than 300,000 tonnes of fruit worth $630million and more than 161,000 tonnes of vegetables worth $172million.
It labelled the Package a "good start" but pointed out that market access restrictions are wide and vary according to the product, ranging from quarantine access for many fruits to high tariff restrictions into potentially high volume markets.
AHEA executive director Michelle Christoe said there needs to be ongoing commitment to bolster and create new export markets for horticulture.
"Many of our produce commodities have suffered domestic market failure and they need export markets included into their strategic thinking," Ms Christoe said.
"Grants need to be focussed on activities that support market access being achieved.
"We have had no new markets over the last 20 years for stonefruit other than Canada and to make matters worse, we lost Vietnam and Thailand.
"We need to overcome these types of obstacles to create new export markets for horticultural products.
"If we are looking at what more needs to be done to boost Australian exports; Australia needs to achieve market access by air into premium markets, seven-days a week for our fresh fruit and vegetables.
"Due to Australia’s proximity to Asia, we can get produce by air overnight to fill gaps. Aside from our tasty, quality produce, this is our main point of difference. "
She also welcomed the commitment of additional resources in Canberra and the network of overseas agricultural counsellors.
Federal agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce said access to premium overseas markets is an important element of driving profits back through the farmgate.
“This targeted support comes on the back of historic trade agreements the government has signed with China, Japan and Korea, new technical market access breakthroughs for horticulture, as well as a significant boost to our network of overseas agricultural counsellors,” Mr Joyce said.
“Under the package, a total of $5.3 million (GST inclusive) has been committed so far to small exporters of fish, meat, egg, dairy, grains and horticulture.
"This is in addition to the $1.3 million already provided in rebates to assist small exporters with export registration charges.”
