And your products.
A $1.4 billion business in the Goulburn Valley, agriculture in our region accounts for about 50 per cent of Victoria’s fruit production (including 70 per cent of its pears and half its apples).
So hopefully City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Seema Abdullah and chief executive Peter Harriott know their way around apples and pears by the time they reach the global horticultural conference in Singapore in September.
They will be travelling there with two more council officers and an industry representative for the week-long food fair.
Cr Abdullah said there was strong interest from council and the region’s horticulture industry to fly the Goulburn Valley flag at the event.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our region, our fruits and other products from the horticultural industry on an international scale,” she said.
“Everybody from around the world is looking for these products, making it a wonderful networking and business-development opportunity.”
In 2019, despite the civil unrest in Hong Kong, more than 12 000 trade professionals descended on the island from around the world to meet and do business with more than 800 exhibitors from more than 40 countries — including representatives from the Goulburn Valley.
Asia Fruit Logistica is seen as the gateway to Asian consumers — the fastest growing market in the world.
Although the Shepparton delegation has been increased to five compared with last year’s four, the total cost has come in at almost $30 000 for the week.
That’s $4074 cheaper than 2019.
More stories on horticulture:
Local wineries test for smoke taint
A moment in time
Fruit fly trapping trial for vineyards