Australia's horticulture industry is embarking on the biggest trade drive in its history, with a plan to significantly grow exports by 2025 across a range of commodities.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston today launched the trade push, coordinated by Hort Innovation, complete with the new 'Taste Australia' brand, increased trade shows and funding for research and development and getting farmers ready to export.
"Our horticulture industry today made a bold statement about its intent to seize the opportunities global food demand presents," Minister Ruston said.
"Global food demand alone will require a 75 per cent increase in world food production by 2050, compared with 2007 levels.
"In China, food consumption is projected to more than double between 2009 and 2050. Much of this demand will be for the high-value, high-quality produce Australia is known for.
"Taste Australia is a new brand and export campaign to promote premium Australian produce overseas.
"This brand promotes our longstanding reputation for quality produce, the cleanliness of our environment, the desirability of our lifestyle, and the trust that can be placed in our commercial supply chains and biosecurity.
"Hort Innovation will invest in more trade shows and growers and industry representative participation in overseas promotional activities, under the Taste Australia banner."
Australia's horticulture exports reached record levels of $2.6 billion in 2015–16, and are forecast to continue to increase to $3.3 billion by 2021–22, supported by new and improved market access the Coalition Government has secured.
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