Australian horticulture production value hits record $19.5b

ABC Rural Topic: Horticulture Industry Australia’s fruit and nut industries have led the horticulture sector to record value in the last financial year. (ABC News: Anna Chisholm) Almonds reached a record $1.3 billion, increasing 19.6 per cent. (Brett Worthington) But costs continue to eat into profits and many producers are still waiting to feel the lift in value. The domestic value of fruit increased by 6.1 per cent to $7.3 billion, with growth in mature industries such as berries and citrus as well as emerging sectors such as passionfruit and papaya. "That kind of speaks to a more broader trend around exploring markets, expanding those relationships," Ms Noble said. "Also, some really good seasonal conditions for a couple of those crops as well." Lucy Noble says the horticulture sector has been fostering overseas relationships. (Supplied: Hort Innovation) Growing overseas The local value of vegetables rose to $6 billion, up 5.6 per cent. Ms Noble said potatoes alone reached $1.2 billion. "We saw some good growth in categories like capsicums, which are more emerging, as well as head lettuce and pumpkins as well," she said. In the nut industry, almonds led the growth at $1.3 billion, which Ms Noble attributed to a strong recovery in exports. Lucy Noble said expanding export markets was a key factor in the growth in production value. (Supplied: World-Link) Most of Australia's horticulture serves the domestic market, with only 10 to 15 per exported. Ms Noble said expanding overseas markets was a key factor in the growth in production value. "Developing those relationships, as well as access to those markets, is really critical for the industry," she said. Ms Noble said the industry had successfully broadened into India, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan. "It's been a story of investing in the critical markets, but then also looking at how … we diversify, making sure that there's destinations for all different produce," she said. Back home Ms Noble said growers were also exploring opportunities in the domestic market. "Australians want produce that is really efficient and suits the different kind of styles and eating," she said.