By Aaron Cordy
A DELEGATION of more than 30 buyers from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and India visited SPC Global’s Shepparton facility and local producer Kalafatis Fresh Produce on Thursday, May 21.
The visit was part of Global Victoria’s Horticulture Inbound Trade Mission, which showcased the strength of regional Victorian agriculture and export capability, which SPC has been at the forefront in recent times.
“We have a lot of international clients, and what SPC offers as a group is a lot of local produce and these international marketers are these customers that we’re facing. So, having this international delegation, through Vic Global, coming into the region is really important,” said SPC CEO International Nick Dimopoulos.
“We’ve had juice exports into Korea for the first time. We’ve had tomatoes into China. We’ve had fruit purees into Singapore, Malaysia, and going to Vietnam, and in the next three to four months, China as well.”
Global troubles due to the US war and tariffs have certainly created challenges on many fronts, but also opportunities that SPC, along with Australian growers, can capitalise on.
“In some way, it’s been beneficial with recent events in the Middle East. Shipments coming in from other parts of the world have been delayed, whereas Australia has that advantage of a quick response into a lot of the regional countries. Singapore two weeks, China three weeks, and that is a blessing for many people,” said Mr Dimopoulos
“A lot of companies in the region have been out of stock, so that has actually given us additional opportunities. The tariffs in the US have also created new opportunities where people have realised that purchasing from our backyard — Australia — is now a preferred option due to time, due to speed, due to quality. So, we’re trying to reap the benefits of that.”
The delegation by Global Victoria in partnership with Apple and Pear Australia, Australian Table Grape Association, Citrus Australia, Summerfruit Australia, Cherry Growers Australia, Victorian Cherry Growers, Horticulture Innovation Australia and AusVeg, was a five-day program of site visits, business matching and networking, built to help Victorian growers and exporters deepen existing relationships and turn introductions into lasting trade partnerships.
“Global Victoria has invited a lot of people who are working in the industry and who are actually into exports, so it’s very productive, very busy. We’re meeting a lot of people, learning a lot about the produce, which is getting exported, which is really nice,” said Diya Arora from IG International, India.
“We’re already importing a lot of produce from Australia, but I wanted to see the produce before the harvest period. Right now it’s going to be harvest for citrus, so I wanted to see the produce and was more focused on citrus, stone fruit, and grapes, so it’s very productive here, I would say, and the produce is so high quality, so it’s really nice.”
