The Hort Innovation-sponsored Exporter of the Year Award, part of the Hort Connections 2021 National Awards of Excellence in mid-June, has recognised fifth-generation Queensland vegetable grower Steven Moffat of Moffat Fresh Produce.
The agribusiness, now almost a century old, started direct exporting its fresh and value-added products around six years ago. Now, it ships directly to customers in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East.
The Award recognises an individual or business who is committed to exporting and actively contributes to activities that help the industry increase its exports.
“Moffatt Fresh has operated for nearly 100 years and now has the fifth generation of Moffatt family farmers putting quality fresh vegetables on the tables of Australian families and those in key markets around the world,” said AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development Michael Coote.
“Steven Moffatt has been active in supporting a wide range of national industry export activities, and openly collaborates with other growers to support the growth in export of Australian fresh vegetables.”
“The vegetable industry has increased its focus on boosting the value and volume of exports to ensure growers can diversify their avenues to market and take advantage of growing international markets.”
“Moffatt Fresh is a prime example of the success that a business can achieve when it embraces the opportunities that are available in export markets. Steven is a deserving recipient.”
Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for the Australian horticulture industry. It invests over $120 million annually in research and development, marketing and trade programs on behalf of industry to improve the productivity, profitability and global competitiveness of fruit, vegetable and nut sectors, as well as transformational investments that benefit the broader Australian horticulture industry as a whole.
The annual Hort Connections conference is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the Produce Marketing Association Australia – New Zealand (PMA A-NZ). It is the premiere event for the Australian horticulture industry’s vegetable, fruit, nut, cut floral and nursery sectors.
Source: Queensland vegetable exporter Steven Moffatt crowned Exporter of the Year I AUSVEG media release
Lead image: Fifth-generation veggie grower Steven Moffat, winner of the Hort Innovation-sponsored 2021 horticultural Exporter of the Year Award. Credit: Moffat Media