: Leading Japanese food and fresh produce industry figures will taste the best of Australian horticulture during a landmark dinner and trade showcase in Tokyo this month. The dinner, which will take place on 11 March, will aim to strengthen business relationships and trade opportunities in Australia's fifth largest horticulture export market by value.
The Taste of the Land Down Under in the Land of the Rising Sun event will put Australia's produce on display and offer attendees a delicious, fresh dining experience with treats from across Australia.
Hosted by Hort Innovation, Austrade and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), with support from Global Victoria, and the Tasmanian Government, the event forms part of the Australia-Japan Horticulture Showcase initiative, which commenced in 2024. The ongoing program - which is funded by Hort Innovation's Frontiers and DAFF's Showcasing Australian Horticulture Grant - is designed to strengthen and expand the trading relationship between Australia and Japan.
The dinner will also feature strong industry representation from across Australian horticulture, including Apple and Pear Australia, Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), the Australian Table Grapes Association, AUSVEG, Berries Australia, Citrus Australia, Melons Australia, and Summerfruit Australia.
Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield, said: "This event will bring the very best of Australian fresh produce directly to our valued Japanese trading partners.
"This program is an important step in showcasing Australia's role as a global leader in horticultural innovation and sustainable production and supply, while solidifying the trade ties with Japan, a key market for Australian horticulture.
"We currently see $169 million worth of produce exported to Japan each year, so this is an important opportunity for our growers. We are proud to represent our growers and join with our government and industry partners to continue telling the story of the diverse and delicious array of world-class horticultural produce grown in Australia."
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Agriculture Counsellor for Japan James Strachan said: "Australian horticulture enjoys a strong international reputation for producing some of the highest-quality, freshest and tastiest produce in the world.
"Initiatives such as the Taste of the Land Down Under in the Land of the Rising Sun showcase are key to further raising the profile of all that Australian horticulture has to offer the important Japanese market, while strengthening relations to further realise the many mutual benefits."
Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner in Japan Kendall Draper said: "Japan is a well-established, highly valued and very important trading partner for Australian horticulture.
"Building on these strong foundations, this Tokyo event as part of the Australia-Japan Horticulture Showcase, is a vital opportunity to develop new connections, share knowledge and promote mutual understanding, as we seek to foster and strengthen two-way trade between our nations."
The Australia-Japan Horticulture showcase initiative is delivered by Hort Innovation in partnership with AUSVEG and AFPA. It continues to connect Australian and Japanese horticulture industry representatives to build relationships, expand networks, exchange knowledge, and explore commercial and research opportunities.
The Tokyo event will build off a successful inbound trade mission that saw prominent Japanese fresh produce buyers and representatives from industry associations visit leading Australian horticulture businesses in October 2024. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA), our joint free trade agreement.
