19/08/2023 

MEDIA RELEASE

THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann has welcomed the announcement of the largest and most ambitious trade initiative in Australian horticulture history and said it will be good for growers in the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and the Somerset Region.

The historic eight-year 16 billion horticulture sector, with most industries identifying enhancing and diversifying export markets as a priority.

"The Australian horticulture sector is projected to surge by up to 22.5 per cent in value by 2030, primarily due to increased exports in trade-focused commodities," he said.

"Through streamlined evidence-based data collection for the Australian Government's trade negotiations and strengthened biosecurity measures, FASTA will support this growth."

Mr Neumann said FASTA will ensure Australia's reputation for high-quality horticultural produce is protected and enhanced.

"The Australian horticulture sector is known for delivering high-quality and safe produce," he said.

"Through the delivery of state-of-the-art research and development, FASTA will bolster the nation's pest management capacity to safeguard the Australian horticulture industry now, and into the future."

FASTA is a partnership between Hort Innovation, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA); the Queensland University of Technology, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VIC), the Western Sydney University, the Department of Tourism, Industry and Trade (NT), the Australian Blueberry Growers' Association, James Cook University, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (SA) and GreenSkin Avocados, with levy funding from the avocado and strawberry industries, and support from the Albanese Government.

Background

Horticulture export facts and figures from the latest Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook:

• The total value of horticulture exports grew by 2.4 per cent from Dec 2021 to Dec 2022.
• In 2022, fruit accounted for 1.1B and vegetables at $262M.
• In 2022, Australia's top three export commodities were almonds (30 per cent share), table grapes (18 per cent) and citrus (18 per cent).
• Australia's top export destination is China (28.4 per cent) followed by Japan (7.4 per cent) and Vietnam (6.6 per cent).
• Australia's top 10 export markets have changed over the past few years - in particular, over the past six years exports to Vietnam have increased by 266 per cent.
• Victoria accounts for the largest share of export value - 49 per cent of total export value.