The Australian Fresh Produce industry is this week working in at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong to develop export markets across the continent.

Asia Fruit Logistica is a key international trade show for the Australian fresh produce industry to promote produce to customers and buyers.

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) is supporting the Australian pavilion ‘Taste Australia’ managed by Hort Innovation, and the broader Australian presence across the trade show.

“The Australian presence at Asia Fruit Logistica has grown every year highlighting industry’s commitment to exporting Australia’s high quality produce around the world," said Michael Rogers, AFPA CEO.

"Australia’s fresh produce exports support rural and regional communities with a range of jobs and growing companies providing investment and infrastructure."

“The Australian fresh produce industry needs new export protocols, particularly for China and Japan, to continue building our export markets. Industry strongly supports new free trade agreements which lower tariffs and quotas but this must go hand in hand with new and better export protocols which provide the technical or treatment arrangements for produce exported from Australia”.

Over the last five years, horticulture has been the fastest growing sector in agriculture underpinned by an increase in exports, he said.

"Horticulture exports are nearly AUD$2.8 billion for the last financial year – a 27 per cent increase on the previous year. Horticultural exports to China have nearly doubled over the past financial year from $424 million to $834 million,” said Rogers.

“We need Australian Government action on negotiating technical export protocols to allow more of Australia’s fresh produce to be exported to China, Japan, Korea, and the range of key export markets for Australia’s fruit and vegetable farmers.

"A whole of government approach is needed to bring together the full capability of the Australian Government to negotiating technical market access protocols for the Australian Fresh Produce industry."