Onions lead growth as vege exports rise to $299m

Australian fresh vegetable exports have increased 6.6 per cent in value to $299 million, with onions leading the growth. See what other vegetables stood out in 2019.

Tasmanian growers contributed most of the national growth in onion exports, increasing exports from the state by 91 per cent. Picture: Zoe Phillips

AUSTRALIAN fresh vegetable exports have increased 6.6 per cent in value to $299 million.

The total volume of vegetable exports has also increased 5.4 per cent to 230,000 tonnes, according to newly released trade data for 2019.

Carrots remained the largest export product by volume, at 34 per cent, while onions lead most of the export growth by value, increasing by 67 per cent to $40 million last year.

Tasmanian growers contributed most of the national growth in onion exports, increasing exports from the state by 91 per cent, particularly to European markets.

Western Australian and South Australian growers also increased onion exports 67 per cent and 47 per cent respectively.

Other key vegetable exports last year included potato, onion, celery, broccoli and cauliflower.

The top five markets were Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, which has replaced Hong Kong for fifth position.

These five markets received about 53 per cent of Australian fresh vegetable export volumes.

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AusVeg national manager of export development Michael Coote said the progress the Australian vegetable industry has made in growing its exports is testament to the hard work of growers to persevere with the export process.

“The continued rise in the value of vegetable exports is particularly impressive when you consider that Australian vegetables, including onions, are lower-priced products that are being grown in a high-cost environment, due to the rising costs of labour, electricity and water,” Mr Coote said.

“So even as they experience vulnerability to fluctuating exchange rates that make it harder for vegetable growers to compete in a global market, fresh vegetable exports continue to grow.”

Mr Coote said the industry was “well on its way” to reach the ambitious target of $315 million in fresh vegetable exports by 2020.

“We are working with growers to ensure they have the skills and know-how to improve their ability to export their produce and capitalise on increasing demand for fresh, Australian-grown vegetable produce,” he said.