Phil Pyke, Business Development Manager at Fruit Growers Tasmania, will be joined on the stand at Asia Fruit Logistica this year by some of the State's major veg growers to let people see that it is not just fruit which is exported from Tasmania."The vegetable growers are coming to promote Tasmanian vegetables which are every bit as good as our Tasmanian fruit, but we have just not promoted them in past," explains Phil. "We already export to many different markets: for example, lettuce goes to China, carrots and onions are predominately exported across Asia. These are the main markets, but we are looking at where niche markets could come into play as well."
Phil said that they are hoping to sell more products at a premium level with the help of the Tasmanian Fruit and Vegetable Facilitation Group. "We want to help growers look at more consolidated markets as opposed to sending it to bulk markets which is what they are now doing."
The fresh cut market is also interesting for Tasmanian exporters as it is not bound in the same way by the protocols.
"We hope this will be the start of a combined stand for all the premium produce from Tasmania, we are very keen to have a Tasmanian stand with all of our premium and value added products," says Phil.
Fruit Growers Tasmania have had a stand for 10 years at Asia Fruit Logistica, they are situated in Hall 3D stand R-17.
For more information:
Phil Pike
Fruit Growers Tasmania
Tel: +61 6231 1944
Email: phil@fruitgrowerstas.com.au