Access to Asian Vegetables

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This website was created during the Access to Asia project.
The access to Asia project commenced in 1993/94 and finished in 2002, it was funded by DPI Victoria and consisted of 2 four year phases. When the project commenced in 1993/94 the Asian vegetable industry in Australia had a value of $50M and it was estimated that current demand exceeded supply by 20% with growth in demand of up to 30% expected by 1996. By 2000/01 seed sales of Asian vegetables had increased by 215% since 1993/94.

At the present time this website is maintained by the VegCheque program.

Project Objectives, Activities and Outcomes are listed below.

Objectives:

• Develop a sustainable Asian vegetable export industry in Victoria by 2004.
• Expand domestic markets for Asian vegetables.
• Identify domestic markets and import replacement opportunities for increasing domestic consumption of new vegetable products.
• Develop a statewide team of scientists to respond to market opportunities and requirements.
• Transfer information and develop all sectors of the industry.
• Improve production practices, particularly in chemical use.

• Survey Asian vegetable wholesale and retail outlets to determine quantity and quality of existing produce, opportunities for additional products and current problems in the marketing chain.
  
  
• Conduct field trials to determine regional suitability and cultivar performance for specific market opportunities.
  
  
• Develop best practice management strategies and promote clean food production through integrated pest management (IPM).
  
  
• Conduct research into temperature requirements and modified atmosphere packaging to reduce postharvest losses, extend storage life and maintain quality.
  
  
• Develop protocols for processing products to meet export requirements.
  
  
• Transfer information and develop all sectors of the Asian vegetable industry.