Summary

Coordination across the supply chain – between growers, processors, marketers and transporters – is the primary impediment to exporting perishable commodities to Asian markets. Developing strong relationships with these Asian markets is critical for expansion and development of perishable commodities in northern Australia.

This project examined stakeholder collaboration in planning and investment for exporting high-value perishable agricultural commodities (HVPACs) from northern Australia to Asian markets.

It explored multi-party collaborations in producing and processing of perishable commodities, the development and enablement of supply chain infrastructure, and the identification of policy and regulatory barriers to investment in this sector.

The research approach combined a literature review, two stakeholder workshops, a farmer survey in Queensland, a consumer choice survey in China and spatial modelling of HVPAC volumes in the Central Queensland region.

The stakeholder workshops investigated suitable types and processes of collaboration for HVPACs, focusing on processing, investment and international trade mechanisms. Technological innovation and adaptation, logistics, and supply chain management were also examined.

The final summary report outlines the five key objectives of the project and provides a comprehensive overview of findings and strategic recommendations, including end-user guidelines. This framework is designed to be applicable across all regions of northern Australia.

Conference papers (published)

Australia New Zealand Regional Science Associations International (ANZRSAI ) 2019. Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

• Rahman, A., Akbar, D., Rolfe, J.(2019). Every community wants an airfreight facility: is this a viable regional agricultural supply chain development option for central Queensland in Australia? 
• Akbar, D., Rahman, A., Rolfe, J., Kinnear, S., Schrobback, P., Bhattarari, S. (2019). Working to grow together: horizontal collaboration for horticulture production in Queensland.

Expected outcomes

• Collaboration among local, regional, national and international stakeholders to support HVPAC development.
• Greater efficiency and certainty in policy formulations for HVPAC development across northern Australia.
• Long-term horticulture production in the region is projected to double, increasing revenue in Queensland from $2.8 billion to $5.6 billion.
• Increased investment in northern Australia, with $100 million expected from the three proposed case studies.
• Upon implementation of the functional collaboration framework, a 5% increase in overall GDP – approximately $9 billion – is anticipated in northern Australia over the short (up to 5 years) to medium term (5 to 10 years).
• This research and framework can be applied across all regions in northern Australia, enabling communities to adapt the functional collaboration model to their own regions and industries.