Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson is today promoting Queensland producers at one of the world’s leading fruit and vegetable trade shows in Hong Kong.

Asia Fruit Logistica has attracted 650 exhibitors from 37 countries, and 9000 buyers from across the region including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, India, Japan and Thailand.

The Minister is hosting a networking lunch at which she will declare the Palaszczuk Government is fully committed to working in partnership with Queensland’s horticulture industry to increase international trade.

“Queensland’s proximity to Asian markets, a lower Australian dollar and counter-seasonal production offers our producers exceptional opportunities to increase exports,” the Minister said.

“Queensland producers are already exporting an abundance of primary commodities into Asia, particularly meat, sugar, grains and cotton.

“This trade show will allow Queensland producers to showcase a range of fruit and vegetable products to key international buyers to help boost Queensland’s export trade.

“I will be making it very clear that the Government will do all it can to support export growth and take full advantage of the new opportunities that are opening up through advances in technology, increased airfreight capacity and the China-Australia free trade agreement.

“The new China-Australia Free Trade Agreement allows 95% of Australian exports to enter China free of duty, opening up a market of 1.3 billion people.

“That’s a market too big to ignore if we want Queensland farmers to continue to benefit.

That’s why I am here in Hong Kong today, and travelling on to Beijing later in the week.”

Minister Donaldson said many of the growers at the event were from the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin area where new irrigated horticulture industries were being developed to provide a higher return on irrigation water supplies than traditional grain and cotton production.

“This diversified production will rely on demand from new export markets to ensure that product prices are maintained, hence our strong push into new Asian markets.

“Fresh produce from Murray Darling Basin will be showcased through the Horticulture Innovation Australia export promotion project, featuring three pavilions marketed as ‘Australia Fresh’ to enable producers from around the country to come together to promote ‘Brand Australia’.

“Asia’s rapidly evolving fresh fruit and vegetable markets are ripe for the introduction of new products and services and this is where the opportunity lies for Queensland.

“I am looking forward to meeting our exhibitors at the Australia Fresh Pavilion and promoting the message that Queensland is a tried and true source of high-quality horticulture for Asian markets.”

“The event will help our growers to access new export markets, develop new marketing partnerships, raise our profile at an international level and gather market intelligence for the horticultural industry.”

At the networking lunch the Minister will address 65 guests, including Hong Kong retailers, importers, distributors, investors and food and wine writers, promoting Queensland horticulture, food, beverages and advances in food technology.

Queensland wine from South Burnett producer Clovely Estate will be served.