The Australian Table Grape Association Inc. (ATGA) is the peak industry body representing the commercial table grape growers of Australia. Established as a not-for-profit organization, ATGA plays a central role in supporting, promoting, and protecting the Australian table grape industry. With its headquarters in Mildura, Victoria—Australia’s largest grape-growing region—ATGA is the national voice of table grape producers across the country.
Organization Overview
Formed to address the collective needs of the industry, ATGA delivers strategic leadership in market development, quality assurance, export readiness, biosecurity, and grower capability enhancement. The association is funded by grower levies, government grants, and project-based funding through Hort Innovation.
Led by CEO Jeff Scott, ATGA liaises with government bodies, research institutions, exporters, and global buyers to ensure sustainable growth of Australia’s fresh table grape exports.
Industry Snapshot
- Total Industry Value: AUD 700 million (2022–23)
- Export Revenue: AUD 545 million (2022–23)
- Total Production Volume: ~220,000 tonnes annually
- Export Volume: Over 152,000 tonnes shipped in 2022–23
- Employment: Over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs across growing regions
Major Growing Regions
- Sunraysia (Victoria) – ~80% of total production
- Riverland (South Australia)
- Swan Valley (Western Australia)
- Bundaberg and Mareeba (Queensland)
- Greater Sydney Basin (New South Wales)
Primary Varieties Promoted
- White Grapes: Menindee Seedless, Thompson Seedless
- Red Grapes: Crimson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Red Globe
- Black Grapes: Midnight Beauty, Autumn Royal
- New Varietals: Sweet Sapphire, Cotton Candy, and proprietary varieties under commercial license
Key Functions and Services
1. Industry Marketing & Promotion
- Oversees the national marketing strategy under the “Australian Table Grapes” brand
- Partners with Hort Innovation for retail campaigns and overseas promotions
- Export market activities conducted in over 12 countries annually
2. Export Market Development
- Provides tools and training for growers to meet international phytosanitary requirements
- Facilitates adoption of China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia market access protocols
- Maintains a comprehensive Export Manual and Seasonal Trade Events Calendar
3. Technical Services & Extension
- Supports growers with production advice, pest management strategies, and post-harvest handling
- Conducts annual grower field days and technical roadshows
- Implements Vineyard Quality Assurance Program (VQAP) to meet export-grade standards
4. Biosecurity & Compliance
- Works in collaboration with Plant Health Australia and the Department of Agriculture
- Coordinates surveillance and outbreak response for key threats like Grapevine Phylloxera
- Advocates for traceability and secure supply chains through QR-based farm codes
5. Industry Research & Innovation
- Manages R&D projects via Hort Innovation levy investment
- Prioritizes research in climate resilience, varietal development, and automated harvesting
- Supports pilot programs in smart irrigation and soil moisture mapping
Export Performance
- Top Export Markets:
- China (40% of total exports)
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- South Korea
- Japan
- Philippines
- Hong Kong
- Export Channels: 85% via sea freight, 15% via air freight for premium orders
- Seasonality: November to May, with peak exports between February and April
- Packing Standards: Export cartons with consistent branding, traceability, and MRL compliance
Strategic Partnerships
- Hort Innovation – National R&D and marketing funding partner
- Plant Health Australia – Biosecurity and surveillance collaboration
- Freshcare & HARPS – Food safety and retail audit compliance programs
- DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) – Export accreditation and protocol negotiation
Certifications and Compliance
- HARPS Certified Growers
- Phytosanitary Accreditation (DAFF)
- Freshcare Food Safety & Quality
- Export License Certification (ICA-21 & ICA-23 Protocols)
Publications and Resources
- Australian Table Grape Export Manual
- Grower Extension Bulletins
- Annual Export Statistics Reports
- Pest and Disease Fact Sheets
- Harvest & Quality Maturity Guidelines
Key Leadership
- Jeff Scott, CEO, is a recognized leader in Australian horticulture with a focus on export development, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. Under his leadership, ATGA has expanded its reach and increased the global footprint of Australian grapes.
Major Achievements
- Achieved export volume growth of 18% from 2020 to 2023
- Successfully retained China market access with 100% compliance in pre-clearance inspections
- Led the development of a Digital Grower Platform for real-time vineyard reporting
- Introduced grower training modules in Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Thai to support multicultural labor forces
Summary
The Australian Table Grape Association Inc. is the cornerstone of Australia's fresh grape export success. Through comprehensive grower support, biosecurity management, and market development programs, ATGA ensures that Australian table grapes continue to be recognized globally for their quality, safety, and consistency. Its forward-thinking leadership and industry-wide collaboration make it an essential driver of sustainable growth and innovation in Australia’s horticulture sector.
