A NEW Grain Sustainability Certification Scheme will open new trade opportunities for Australia’s grain industry, made possible through a $97,500 grant from the Australian government and developed by the Australian Oilseeds Federation.
The value of grain, oilseed and pulses exports for 2021-22 is forecast to be $12.5 billion.
Minister for agriculture David Littleproud said, “An Australian Grain Sustainability Certification Scheme will boost market access opportunities for Aussie exporters selling grains where buyers seek sustainable certified produce.
“The project has also produced a grain industry communication and education program to help small to medium sized grain exporters to access markets where sustainability certificates are required.”
Australian Oilseeds Federation president Rosemary Richards said the successful project helps smaller exporters.
“The PASE project enabled smaller exporters to more readily access the growing market for certified sustainable grain,” Ms Richards said.
“Without PASE, these exporters risked missing out on the opportunities available through the growing global demand for sustainable agricultural inputs.”
Aussie Avocados smashing global markets
Australian avocado growers are strengthening export processes and learning about market access opportunities as a result of $109,176 of grants under the Package Assisting Small Exporters extension program.
In 2019/20 Australia exported 4,051 tonnes, representing 4.63% of the 87,546 tonnes produced. Malaysia and Singapore are currently Australia’s main avocado export markets.
Mr Littleproud said the two grants awarded to Avocados Australia would help avocado growers find new export market opportunities and reduce export compliance costs.
“Australians already know how good our avocados are. This support will help the industry expand into new markets and find new fans around the world,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The new resources developed by Avocados Australia clearly step through what avocado growers and packhouse staff must do to meet Japanese and New Zealand avocado import requirements.
“These resources have also been designed to accommodate future expansion into new markets, so they stay relevant.
“The new online avocado registration system project streamlines export accreditation enhancing data collection consistency, traceability and transparency.”
Josh Franceschi from The Avocado Collective said there is a pool of growers keen to export their avocados to Japan and they are assisting them with their registration.
“The successful PASE project was great at providing very clear information to help explain the requirements and saved us lots of time with onboarding new growers.
“We’ve been exporting to Japan for a few years now and the application process been always done manually.
“The new online registration program developed through the successful PASE project provides us with a one stop online solution to gather and upload all the required information digitally.”
Further information on the PASE program is available at: agriculture.gov.au/export/from-australia/package-assisting-small-exporters
