Australian Horticulture Accelerates Global Growth Push

Australian horticulture is accelerating its push into high-value Asian markets, creating new export opportunities to help growers build more productive and profitable businesses.

Shared today at Hort Connections 2026, Hort Innovation has spotlighted a suite of export-focused initiatives aimed at helping Australian levy-payers build international relationships, strengthen market access, and grow capability in priority markets.

These projects form part of the $38 million invested in industry trade projects by Hort Innovation across 15 industries targeting export into 14 countries, including China, Japan and South Korea.

At a time when growers are looking to diversify markets and build even more resilient businesses, Hort Connections provides a timely platform to show how levy investments are helping turn export ambition into practical opportunities.

Brett Fifield, CEO at Hort Innovation explained why exports are essential for the future of the industry: "Export growth is a critical priority for Australian horticulture as it underpins the long‑term viability of the industry. As Australia's horticulture outputs grow, diversification across markets, customers and channels is one of the strongest ways growers can manage risk, respond to change and build resilient businesses."

Hort Innovation investment partnerships focused on growing exports include:

• The two-year funding program for China horticulture showcase and Australia-Japan Horticulture Exchange program: Creating engagement platforms that bring together government, industry and commercial stakeholders to build demand and credibility in priority markets, strengthening trade relationships and driving sustained export outcomes.

• The new Hort Innovation-IFPA Global Scholarship: Creating opportunities for ten applicants to attend the inaugural Global Grower Leaders Program - an international leadership experience to strengthen Australian horticulture capability. Participants will gain insights from global events, leaders, technologies, and supply chains to drive industry impact.

• More than $3 million in marketing campaigns across 11 priority markets in collaboration with exporters, local retailers and in-market delivery partners.

• About $17.5 million to ensure fruit quality, consistency and export supply chain performance for Australian growers. This work has improved the shelf-life of mangos, avocados, summerfruit and berries exported across the globe.

• Eight-year commitment to Fresh and Secure Trade alliance (FASTA): $130 million science program collaboration across industry and government to strengthen Australia's market access and trade readiness - this project recently supported market access negotiations for blueberries and mainland apples into Asia.

• Uniting industry at Hong Kong Asia-Fruit Logistica 2026 under the Australia Pavilion: Showcasing Australian horticulture and growers on the global stage and strengthening trade relationships across Asia.

• Multi-industry grower-focused international study tours: To learn global best practice, identify opportunities and build relationships. Current study tours are underway for almond, apple, cherry, prune, mushroom, vegetable and melon industries, with the Hort Innovation-funded VegMech program set to take the next round of participants to the UK and Netherlands in June 2026.

• Supporting the entry of Australian mainland apples into the China market through targeted trade and marketing investments, including an official in market launch in September to build demand and support new export opportunities for growers.