Over the last 12 months we've been working closely with the Mudgee Wine Association to develop a brand then marketing / communication plan. Mudgee gets now 600,000 visitors a year and is probably one of the most diverse regions for grape varietals giving consumers a huge range of wines. It's also unique for all the winery's, cellar doors and farms being family owned. A great location for a weekend escape.
We conducted a quantitative survey for the Australian Blueberry Growers Association and Raspberries and Blackberries Australia to their members to gain an understanding of the issues they are facing, what their plans for the future is and how they see the roles of their association's changing.
We're excited for a major berry company that has just completed their first export of berries. Earlier this year we worked with them to create an export strategy identifying potential markets, biosecurity, food safety, transport options and storage as well as possible target wholesalers. Hopefully they can continue to grow this market over future years.
We've just conducted 2 rounds of negotiation training to one of Australia's largest grape grower co-ops to help them negotiate a better win-win situation for their members and buyers over a longer term. We wish them luck in their upcoming vintage price negotiations
Our strategic director Ben Perry has been selected to act as an expert advisor on the Federal Government's, Farming Together program that assists farmers in forming collaborative relationships to build better returns beyond the farm gate. The program is backed by $14.9 million fund with the aim to provide farmers with the knowledge, skills and materials on co-operatives, collective bargaining and other forms of collaboration.
The majority of state agricultural departments, HIA, Ausveg,major grower group leaders and The Agri Business attended a round table forum to discuss the evolution of the Now! in Season campaign that Australian horticulture products are using to sell themselves under in a number of our export countries.
HIA is investigating how to increase vegetable exports to Japan over the next two years. With the recent changes due to Japan - Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) a number of new vegetables have been granted access.
At the recent Private Markets Conference - Real Estate and Private Equities in Melbourne Lucy Purcell chaired a session - Ahead of the Curve in Agribusiness and Timberland.
Lucy Purcell joins 20 business leaders from across Australia from different industries to provide input into Australia's future white paper on foreign policy hosted by Asialink for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
