ASIAN retail staff are being given a 10-minute crash course on Australian citrus to help them better understand and sell the fruit.
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Hort Innovation launched the Aussie Oranges eLearning platform at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong recently.
Developed under the horticulture trade banner Grown in Good Nature, the program provides information about Australian citrus varieties and health benefits, handling, storage and display tips.
When retailers enter into a partnership to sell Australian oranges, they will be provided the e-learning module for staff, with incentives for teams to participate in the training, such as giveaways.
Hort Innovation trade development manager, Troy Agosti, said the resource will arm supermarket and grocery chains with an engaging tool to educate staff and consumers about Australian produce.
"We were hearing from retailers that they wanted to know more about the right way to care for Aussie produce, including the temperature it should be stored at, taste differences and how to encourage customers to try it," he said.
"So we worked with growers and training providers to come up with a fun, innovative way to engage retail staff and give overseas consumers the best possible buying and eating experience."
The Aussie Oranges platform will be rolled out through retailers in Mandarin, Japanese and Thai languages in the coming months, followed by Aussie table grapes and avocado versions this year.
Importers from across Asia were able to speak to horticulture industry representatives from across Australia at Asia Fruit Logistica, providing growers the chance to get more produce into key markets for consumers to enjoy.
According to the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook, Australia exported close to 420,000 tonnes of fresh fruit in 2021/2022 at a value of more than $1.2B.
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