AUSVEG Ltd is the national peak industry body representing the interests of Australia’s vegetable, potato, and onion growers. Based in Melbourne, Victoria, AUSVEG advocates on behalf of over 3,600 horticultural producers, facilitating research, development, trade, and policy engagement to ensure the sector's continued growth and global competitiveness.
Organization Overview
Established as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, AUSVEG is funded through a combination of industry levies, government grants, commercial partnerships, and event revenues. It serves as the voice of Australia's vegetable industry on critical issues including trade, workforce, biosecurity, water security, research funding, and environmental sustainability.
AUSVEG works closely with Hort Innovation, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Plant Health Australia, and various state-based grower organizations to deliver strategic outcomes for Australia’s $5.8 billion vegetable sector.
Industry Statistics
- Total Vegetable Industry Value: AUD 5.8 billion (farmgate, 2023)
- Total Vegetable Exports: AUD 321 million in 2022–23
- Employment: Over 20,000 people directly employed
- Key Crops: Potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, lettuce, capsicum, sweet corn
- Total Farms Represented: ~3,600 commercial growers
Core Services and Focus Areas
1. Advocacy and Government Relations
- Represents grower interests on national agricultural policy and regulatory issues
- Engages with ministers and parliamentary committees on labor, water, and environmental policy
- Played a pivotal role in temporary visa reforms during COVID-19 to address labor shortages
2. Research & Development Facilitation
- Collaborates with Hort Innovation to allocate and guide the vegetable levy (AUD 12 million+ annually)
- Oversees projects in automation, integrated pest management, precision agriculture, and food safety
- Partnered with CSIRO, universities, and private tech firms for data-driven pilot projects
3. Export Development & Market Access
- Manages the Vegetable Export Program to grow trade volumes and diversify markets
- Hosts inbound buyer delegations and outbound trade missions to Asia and the Middle East
- Key export markets: UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea
- Supports exporters with documentation, market insights, and compliance training
4. Industry Events and Communication
- Organizes Hort Connections, the largest horticultural conference in the Southern Hemisphere
- Over 3,000 attendees in 2023 from 30+ countries
- Includes a trade show, grower tours, and the National Awards for Excellence
- Publishes Vegetables Australia magazine, distributed to over 5,000 stakeholders
- Maintains the AUSVEG Weekly Update e-newsletter and social media outreach
5. Biosecurity & Supply Chain Risk
- Member of Plant Health Australia
- Provides growers with emergency response plans, pest alerts, and compliance resources
- Coordinates national engagement in managing threats like Tomato Potato Psyllid and Fall Armyworm
6. Grower Support and Capacity Building
- Delivers workshops, webinars, and grower field days in collaboration with state grower bodies
- Develops training materials on irrigation efficiency, food safety, export readiness, and succession planning
- Offers online resources, helplines, and regional support networks
Export Performance and Development
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Vegetable Export Program Highlights:
- 20% growth in fresh vegetable exports over the past 5 years
- Targeted diversification to reduce over-reliance on singular markets
- Promotes new value-added formats (e.g., washed, cut, packaged)
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Export Success Metrics (2022–23):
- Carrot exports: AUD 95 million
- Potato exports: AUD 46 million
- Onion exports: AUD 38 million
Strategic Collaborations
- Hort Innovation – R&D and marketing investment management
- Plant Health Australia – Biosecurity planning and surveillance
- DAFF – Policy alignment, export standards, and trade protocols
- State Grower Associations – Regional engagement and service delivery
- Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL) – Value-adding and innovation partnerships
Certifications and Compliance
- Freshcare and HARPS Alignment: Ensures food safety and quality standards
- R&D Governance Frameworks: Compliance with levy management guidelines
- Fair Work and WHS Standards: Policy development support for on-farm labor practices
Key Publications and Tools
- Vegetables Australia (bi-monthly magazine)
- Annual Industry Snapshot Report
- Biosecurity and Export Manuals
- Commodity Fact Sheets
- On-Farm Risk Management Templates
Major Achievements
- Led national campaign for workforce solutions during COVID-19, contributing to launch of AgMove and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility schemes
- Coordinated national resilience strategy in response to 2022 flood impacts on horticulture regions
- Increased annual participation in export development activities by 40% between 2020 and 2023
- Launched Australia's first dedicated vegetable industry benchmarking platform in 2023
Summary
AUSVEG Ltd stands as a cornerstone of Australia’s fresh vegetable and potato sector. Through its extensive advocacy, innovation facilitation, and export development programs, it empowers growers to navigate market changes, adopt new technologies, and achieve international competitiveness. AUSVEG’s collaborative model, data-driven strategy, and sector-wide representation ensure its vital role in shaping the future of Australian horticulture.
