Data obtained by AUSVEG, and sourced from the Global Trade Atlas (GTA) database and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), presents a statistical analysis of the Australian bean producing industry.

“The export market for Australian fresh beans has experienced an upward trend over the past four years, with an overall increase in value of 52.4 percent since 2011-12,” said AUSVEG CEO, Richard Mulcahy. “Over the 2014-15 financial year, Australia’s export market for fresh beans has been valued at over $5.4 million dollars. This is the highest recorded value to date and has come about at a time when Australia’s vegetable export markets are showing considerable strength.”

The analysis provides a breakdown of the Australian bean industry for both domestic and international consumption. It presents statistics to show that New Zealand is Australia’s largest export market for fresh beans, holding a 98.4 percent share of total fresh bean exports for 2014-15. 

“Overall, Australia’s vegetable export market has also grown dramatically over the past three years. Global Trade Atlas figures show that it is worth over $125 million during the period January to August, 2015. This is an increase of over 10.2 percent in comparison to the same time last year when vegetable exports were estimated at just $114 million dollars,” Mulcahy said.

“Vegetable export growth in 2015 has been supported through increased exports to Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. Each of these countries has seen an increase in export demand of 41 percent, 32 percent and 23 percent respectively in comparison to the same time last year.”

Australia’s fresh bean exports are valued at over forty times the size of its frozen bean export market.

“Exports can help our local vegetable growers to diversify away from some of the domestic risk presented in today’s economy. It can also provide additional sources of revenue for growers at a time when they have been facing increased pressures from higher production costs,” Mulcahy said.

AUSVEG added that it has been developing a strong program in the area of export market development. Introducing Asian and Middle Eastern buyers including importers, retailers and wholesalers to Australian growers as well as organising trade missions made up of growers to participate in events in key markets such as Dubai, Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

The AUSVEG Industry Development Program is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.