QUEENSLAND’S agriculture sector is positioned to benefit from a $15 million supply chain project boosting access to domestic and international markets.
An initiative of Hort Innovation and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the project intends to strengthen trade opportunities for the state’s exporters.
Mark Furner, minister for agriculture industry development and fisheries, said the research-based project would provide Australian horticulture producers with the skills, confidence and decision support to manage supply chain risks.
“Research and extension specialists will develop and promote cultivar-specific decision aid tools, based on shelf-life prediction models, that factor in regional variability, harvest maturity, postharvest treatments and cooling procedures across different modes of transport,” Mr Furner said.
“The decision-aid tools will draw on data from real-time consignment monitoring to inform handling strategies and commercial decisions when ideal supply chain conditions have not been met.”
Hort Innovation chief executive Brett Fifield said the 3.5-year project intends to support the delivery of quality produce in the face of COVID-related disruptions.
“It’s no secret the past two years have been challenging with COVID hindering all stages of the supply chain from farm to retail,” Mr Fifield said.
“What this project will do is draw on some of the best research talents in the country as well as the knowledge and networks of key industry partners to make the business of getting quality horticultural products to market, domestically and overseas, that little bit easier.”
The project is backed by a national team comprising Agriculture Victoria, the Northern Territory Department of Tourism and Trade and Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Ausveg chief executive Michael Coote said ensuring supply chain efficiency has never been more critical.
“This project will deliver grower-friendly resources with clear, concise advice confirming pathways for vegetable crops to different markets,” Mr Coote said.
“It complements other vegetable export development initiatives and is an opportunity for growers to secure outcomes as part of a broader industry supply chain improvement approach.”
The research will involve compiling a series of time by temperature simulation trials and monitoring of commercial consignments.
The project is being delivered through Hort Innovation’s strategic partnership initiative, Hort Frontiers.
