Nominations have been finalised for the Australian and New Zealand horticulture industry’s most prestigious recognition, the Horticulture Awards for Excellence.

The annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions that individuals and companies make to the nation’s fruit, vegetable, nursery and cut floral sectors.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 7 June 2023 during the Hort Connections 2023 Gala Dinner, and cover a range of areas in horticulture, including recognising growers in multiple categories, as well as researchers, sustainability practices, innovative agribusinesses and the industry’s leading exporters.

There are 10 awards categories that will be presented as part of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence, including the highly coveted Syngenta Grower of the Year, Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year and Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year awards.

AUSVEG national marketing manager Nathan McIntyre said the Horticulture Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding accomplishments of leading growers and industry members and celebrate the exceptional work that the horticulture industry undertakes to keep Australia healthy and safe.

“These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the passion and resilience shown by growers and others working within the vegetable, fruit, nut, and flower growing industries, who work tirelessly behind the scenes in putting food on the table for Australian families.

“With many growers finding it increasingly difficult to find time away from their farms and their businesses, the Hort Connections Gala Dinner is the industry’s chance to get together and acknowledge the successes of its leading members and provide much-needed support to peers and colleagues who have faced significant challenges over the last two years.”

He said the theme for Hort Connections 2023 – Knowledge for Growth – will plant the seeds for growth, encouraging growers and suppliers to unite to build a stronger more resilient food system in Australia and New Zealand to feed the Southern Hemisphere.

The 10 National Awards for Excellence 2023 categories are:

• Syngenta Grower of the Year

• Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year

• UPL Tech and Innovation

• Butler Market Gardens Environmental and Sustainability Award

• E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award

• Bayer Researcher of the Year

• Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year

• VISY Industry Impact Award

• Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture

• IFPA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year Award, sponsored by Seeka.