Greater Shepparton City Council will once again be attending Asia Fruit Logistica, with a delegation including the mayor and CEO to travel to Hong Kong in September this year.

This will be the fourth year the council is leading a delegation to Asia Fruit Logistica to investigate and pursue opportunities relating to international trade. The council, in conjunction with Fruit Growers Victoria and local growers, will host a stand at the expo following the success of previous years.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said Greater Shepparton’s agricultural industry outputs $765 million in produce every year and the horticulture industry equates to $328 million – the majority of which is exported around the world.

He said the expo provides council with an opportunity to support one of the region's largest industry sectors and market the region as the ‘fruit capital of Australia’; a place to do business and obtain high quality produce through imports.

“In previous years, commercial agreements between buyers and sellers have been achieved by attending the expo, which has become the most attended expo by local growers due to the opportunities presented at the event.

Mr Sali said he was looking forward to attending Asia Fruit Logistica and working to further support the region’s local growers on the world stage.

“Having a trade stand at the expo is a fantastic opportunity to market our region as the food bowl of Australia and provide opportunities to increase exports around the globe,” he said.

“The expo will increase awareness of our region’s horticultural industry and build on the opportunity for agreements to be negotiated between overseas buyers and Greater Shepparton growers.

“Our local fruit growers are supportive of this initiative and believe that having a dedicated stand will allow them to hold their meetings at a site, giving them a greater level of credibility amongst their competition.

“Many Greater Shepparton fruit growers attend the expo each year and have outlined the benefit of using the stand for trade negotiations.

“We look forward to seeing what can be achieved at this year’s expo.”