Australia is lagging behind the rest of the world in launching new products that contain vegetables, a report released by AUSVEG shows.
The Project Harvest consumer report states that less than two percent of products containing vegetables launched globally are released in Australia.
Tim Shue, AUSVEG spokesman said this indicates an opportunity for vegetable growers to find new ways of getting their produce to consumers.
“New product types may help relieve pressures placed on growers by retailers. Vegetables that don’t make the grade could be transformed into brand new products rather than going to waste,” Shue said.
Green bean ice-cream, instant pumpkin desserts, yoghurts and chips containing vegetable products and vegetable garden cream cheeses are just a handful of the thousands of new products recently launched overseas.
“Creativity, lateral thinking and an active engagement with global experts in produce innovation could help industry access new domestic and international markets,” said Shue.
To start the discussion, AUSVEG is holding the Produce Innovation Seminar at the Cairns Convention Centre on 19 June.
“By exposing the Australian industry to research and development being conducted globally, we hope to excite businesses with innovative ideas about how Australian vegetables could be transformed and consumed,” Shue said. “While the fresh market may remain the focus for Australia, other countries throughout Asia, Europe and the US have been investing in novel vegetable products, and this indicates that there are definitely markets out there.”
The Produce Innovation Seminar will hear from global leaders from the US and Europe in product innovation and sensory science, including David Lundahl, founder and CEO of InsightsNow Inc. and Rob Baan, CEO of Koppert Cress.
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