Melons Australia identified in its 2017 strategic plan an objective to “develop and implement an export plan detailing market access and market development requirements to maximise export market opportunities”. Japan was identified as the number one priority market.
In 2017/18, Australia’s total muskmelon (rockmelon and honeydew melon) exports to Japan were small and below potential, amounting to less than 500 tonnes; by December 2021 this had increased to over 4600 tonnes.
On behalf of Melons Australia, DAF Supply Chain Innovation (SCI) team members engaged with collaborating melon enterprises to review and discuss production practices, harvesting, packing, storage and transport. Pre-dispatch fruit quality assessments and cool chain temperature monitoring, using “real-time” SIM-based loggers, in domestic and export shipments were conducted. Due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, simulations and assessments were undertaken on domestic shipments as necessary, and when borders reopened the focus shifted back to export shipments. Where possible, outturn assessments were carried out using surveyors, Trade and Investment QLD (TIQ), SCI staff or feedback from growers via their importers.
Project engagement strengthened the relationship between grower/exporters and their Japanese customers and will lead to improved supply chain and business practices, resulting in increased volume of consistently high-quality melon exports to Japan.
Below we’ve included the insights on exporting uncovered from the project, and case studies on some Melon exporters who engaged proactively with the project.
