ONE the integral businesses within the wholesale fruit and vegetable supply chain has celebrated a quarter of a century milestone.
In fact, it’s actually 26 years that Market Information Services (MIS) has been operating continuously as the Brisbane Market Fruit and Vegetable Reporting Service.
The business was formed in 1992 to take over the responsibility for Fruit and Vegetable Market Reporting from the Department of Primary Industries (Department of Agriculture) who had operated the reporting service since the earliest days of the Roma Street Markets.
The reporting service is now totally independent and self funding from the information and services that it provides.
MIS principal, Jon Brewer, is a second generation market reporter.
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Mr Brewer said things have changed considerably over those 25 years with the range of reported crops increasing from around 30 or 40 to more than 200 today.
“There has also been a huge increase in packs and varieties. The introduction of computers at the time of privatisation together with the development of purpose built software has allowed the service to manage that increase in the volume of data,” Mr Brewer said.
“The database covering those 25 years of operation continues to be a valuable Industry resource.”
The value of the service faced some challenges in 2016 during the proposed revamp of the now enforced Horticulture Code of Conduct, with several farm lobby groups calling for the introduction of real-time pricing, where growers would be able to track the price of their produce as it sells on the market floor.
At the time, Mr Brewer defended the business saying the methodology of market reporting had evolved over time to improve accuracy through validation but is still seen by some sectors as too brief.
But reliability and timeliness are essential in market price reporting, according to Mr Brewer.
A Daily Fruit and Vegetable Report has been compiled and distributed each and every trading day for the Brisbane Market during the past 25 years and reports are available throughout Australia before midday on the same trading day.
Market Information Services uses world’s best practice in its operations and incorporates additional checks on accuracy not normally available elsewhere,” he said.
“Having a physical presence in the markets every day enables the market reporter to interview wholesalers and buyers face to face, look, smell, touch and taste the products being reported and get a true feel for the market.
“Market reports are predominately distributed by e-mail with a wide range of options to meet the needs of all subscribers.
“Bona fide growers are offered a significant discount on reports containing up to five crops which are designed to meet their needs.
“Emailed reports can be viewed on a smart phone or tablet providing a high level of access and flexibility. Subscriptions are flexible, easy to navigate and can be completed on line.
“Market Information Services operates in conjunction with other recognised reporting services throughout Australia to meet the needs of clients requiring information from two or more markets in the same subscription.
“Ausmarket Consultants is responsible for compiling and distributing those reports and has done so the past 20 plus years.
