Quality harvest promotes interest

Recent promotional visits to South Korea and Japan are creating new opportunities to showcase the quality table grapes Australia is producing.

The Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA), Chief Executive Officer Jeff Scott, says a recent collaboration with Hort Innovation, Austrade Japan and Trade Victoria has delivered a successful and comprehensive in market program in Japan and South Korea.

“Following the trade seminar in Seoul, two major Korean table grape importers departed for Australia and visited Victoria’s table grape growing regions to source fruit,” Mr Scott said.

“We know the fruit quality is very high this year and that new varieties are in demand. They must have liked what they saw because the number of containers exported to Korea, has now surpassed last year’s total number,” Mr Scott said.

The recent promotional program began with Australian Table Grape Trade seminars in Osaka and Tokyo to provide Japanese importers, retailers and food service representatives important pre-season information. A similar program was then held in Seoul, South Korea.

Mr Scott said the feedback from the trade seminars has been extremely positive and Australian exporters had welcomed the chance to meet and network with several leading fruit traders in the one venue.

“Importers and retailers were eager to hear how the Australian season was shaping up? They wanted to know what they could expect to see in market and as well in in-store promotional activities,” Mr Scott said.

“With exports valued over $29 million in 2017, Japan is becoming an important export destination for Australian table grapes. South Korea is an emerging market with momentum building to increase trade.” Mr Scott said.

ATGA Chairman John Argiro commended Mr Scott for his efforts in facilitating trade, opening new markets and expanding existing ones.

“These outbound trade missions are paying dividends in promoting Australian table grapes and we can now see them take effect.” Mr Argiro said.

For more information:
Jeff Scott
Australia Table Grape Association
Telephone: +61 417 122 086
Email: atga@ncable.com.au
Site: www.australiangrapes.com.au