Fruit and vegetable buyers from key export markets in the Asia–Pacific and Middle East regions have visited Australia for a first-hand view of the country’s world-class horticultural offering.
The 2025 Reverse Trade Mission brought around 40 buyers representing 12 countries to major growers, processors and retailers in southern Queensland, as part of ongoing industry efforts to build and strengthen business ties between Australian growers and customers in important international markets.
The delegation of buyers from Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, the UAE, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong toured leading vegetable growing and processing businesses in the St George, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim regions, as well as major retailers around Brisbane.
The 2025 Reverse Trade Mission ran from May 29 to June 4 and included a knowledge exchange breakfast forum sponsored by the Australia–Japan Horticulture Showcase Program, followed by the AUSVEG Fresh Produce Showcase, where delegates were treated to a display of some of Australia’s finest export-quality horticultural produce.
Formalities concluded as participants attended the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for the welcome reception and official opening of Hort Connections 2025 – the Southern Hemisphere’s largest horticulture industry conference.
AUSVEG Chief Executive Michael Coote says the 2025 Reverse Trade Mission is an important part of ongoing work to develop and build ties between Australian vegetable, onion and melon growers and buyers in established and emerging export markets.
“Australian fruit and vegetable growers have a reputation for producing some of the best-quality produce in the world, and the 2025 Reverse Trade Mission is a valuable opportunity for key international buyers to see and experience our world-class production businesses and practices up close,” Michael says.
“Building on established export markets and developing new opportunities for Australian growers remains a key priority for the industry, and this trade mission will advance those objectives by strengthening ties between Australian producers and buyers in important international markets,” he says.
“Not only will the Reverse Trade Mission allow buyers to make personal and business connections with Australian growers, but it will also provide suppliers here with opportunities to learn more about key markets in nations represented by the visiting buyers.”
Last year, Australia exported nearly $2.8 billion worth of horticultural produce, including almost 200,000 tonnes of fresh vegetables, worth $235 million.
