Welcome to the Australian Banana Growers' Council website!
The ABGC is the voice of the Australian Banana Industry, representing the interests of 800 Australian banana growers nationally to both Government and the Australian business community.
The banana industry is one of the largest fruit growing industries in the country and an important contributor to the economies of rural communities in banana growing areas.
Banana Industry Taking Stock Setting Directions Final Report Release 26th June 2008
Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC), with funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, initiated a Taking Stock and Setting Directions (TSSD) project in September 2007. The project was to analyse the industry’s current and forecast situation (Taking Stock) and prioritise key areas that the Australian Banana Industry might address to improve its productivity and sustainability over the next 5 to 10 years (Setting Directions).
Delivery of the TSSD project has included one-on-one interviews with growers, product and service providers, researchers and supply chain participants. It has also involved preparation of a draft situation assessment, workshopping that assessment and ideas for banana industry strategy with industry followed by final collaboration with the project steering committee on Setting Directions. These meetings have taken place in the following regions providing growers with a genuine opportunity to participate.
• Brisbane in Sept, Nov 07 and May 08 • Carnarvon, Western Australia in March 08 • Innisfail, Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah during April 08
The Industry Stocktake and Setting Directions report delivers the ‘raw material’ for the industry to develop its own ‘industry led’, analytically based strategic plan, the first under its new national levy. The project will also provide guidance to the soon established Banana Industry Advisory Committee on where levy monies may be invested.
The five key priorities for the banana industry were identified as: • Developing production systems that are profitable, competitive and sustainable; • Growing and marketing bananas that satisfy our consumers’ needs; • Delivering quality bananas to our customers through the value chain; • Supporting quality banana products with tailored marketing and promotion campaigns; • Strengthening industry unity and trust through positive leadership and communication.
These priorities are underpinned by twenty five actions, the details of which are covered in the Executive Summary or the full report which are available on the links below. Copies of the Executive Summary will be posted to all banana growers and other workshop participants next week.
Contact Nicky Singh on 0402 214 800 or Tony Heidrich on 0427 987 499