About Berries Australia
Berries Australia Limited is a joint venture between Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association (ABGA), Strawberries Australia Inc (SAI) and Raspberries and Blackberries Australia Incorporated (RABA). The initiative has resulted in a new proprietary company, limited by guarantee, and managed by a board of directors appointed by the shareholders (ABGA, SAI and RABA).
Berries Australia now represents the single biggest fresh produce line in our supermarkets and our combined value is more than $1 billion. The peak berry industry bodies (ABGA, RABA and SAI) still exist and each has two Directors on the Berries Australia Board, with Anthony Poiner as the independent Chair.
Berries Australia Strategic Plan 2022-2025
Berries Australia was established as a joint venture between Strawberries Australia Inc., Raspberries and Blackberries Australia Inc., and the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association Inc. in November 2018 in recognition of the commonalities between the four major berry industries.
Berries Australia has developed its first Strategic Plan to lay out how the organisation proposes to support and develop the Australian berry industry across the next few years.
| PRIORITIES | SUCCESS IN DOMESTIC & OVERSEAS MARKETS | MORE RESILIENT BERRY BUSINESSES | A RELIABLE WORKFORCE FOR BERRIES ACROSS ALL SKILL LEVELS | STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR BERRIES | EFFECTIVE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | AN INNOVATIVE & RESPONSIVE GROWER ORGANISATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOALS | Improved access to high-value export markets & increased domestic consumption | Improved access to high-value export markets & increased domestic consumption Berry businesses that are more profitable, resilient, & innovative in managing price & cost volatility | A reliable, fit for purpose workforce & an industry that provides clear development pathways & fosters a safe work culture | Enhanced trust & value in the Australian berry industry, farmers & products | Profitable farm businesses that adapt to the changing natural environment & provide good stewardship of resources | An organisation that is grower-focused, with talented people who embrace innovative thinking & decisive action |
| OUTCOMES | Australian berries are valued around the world as a premium product | The industry utilises modern business planning & management tools | Greater awareness of Australian berry as an attractive industry with rewarding careers | The Australian berry industry is trusted & accepted by the community | Greater ability to manage off-farm impacts | Berries Australia delivers back to the levy payers with investments that align with grower priorities both directly & through Hort Innovation |
| A favourable policy & regulatory environment developed through cultivation of key networks & evidence-based policy positions | Clear & understood drivers of berry farm profitability & productivity | Clear & supported skills development & career pathways for business owners & employees | Australian berries are valued for superior health & nutrition benefits | Efficient & profitable use of land, water, carbon & energy resources which nurtures & sustains the natural environment in a changing climate | Berries Australia is a strong, well-respected voice for industry that leverages our networks to deliver policy outcomes for the berry industry | |
| Market access to high value markets is prioritised & supported by effective R&D | Clear & well communicated quality standards | Access to capable & skilled farm employees & service providers | The Australian berry industry is committed to the ethical treatment of workers | Appropriate use of chemicals | Berries Australia communicates effectively with our members across all of the Peak Industry Bodies | |
| Access to trusted market insights that inform decision-making | Expanded range of risk management tools for price & cost volatility | Access to a reliable seasonal workforce | The Australian berry industry is committed to the production of high-quality safe food | Proactive management of biosecurity risks | Berries Australia has good people, effective & transparent management of resources & is financially stable | |
| Effective marketing campaign that increases domestic consumption of berries without compromising price | Clear understanding of workforce obligations & uptake of third-party ethical sourcing programs to demonstrate compliance | Planning frameworks support industry to reach its potential | Proactive management of food safety risks & development of a food safety culture | Berries Australia provides evidence-based input into government consultation processes to progress the interests of our industry |
Berries Australia Chair
Anthony Poiner took on the role of Berries Australia Chair in 2022, taking over from Peter McPherson who has held the roles of Treasurer and President of the ABGA, and Treasurer for the International Blueberry Organisation (IBO), and in September 2016, was honoured to be elected President of the IBO.
Anthony is the Executive Director of Fresh Produce Group who supply high-quality fruit to customers across Australia and in Asia.
Their mission is to anticipate what customers and consumers will prize in eating quality, presentation and availability of premium fruit. In Australia, the group grow grapes, citrus and berries based on the best genetics and smart farming practices for Australian and Asian customers.
Berries Australia Board of Directors
Directors representing the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association (ABGA)
| Andrew Bell | Christian Parsons |
|---|---|
| Andrew is the Managing Director of Mountain Blue – a diversified blueberry company, comprising a genetics company, farming operations, commercial nursery and a marketing company. Mountain Blue has significant farming operations, along with a network of third-party growers around Australia that grow genetics owned by Mountain Blue. | Christian is the National Operations Manager for Costa Berries, overseeing more than 725 hectares of berry production across Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia. Christian has been in senior horticulture roles for over 10 years and has industry committee experience within Rubus, blueberries and avocados. Costa grows blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and strawberry crops which enables Christian to have a whole of berry category perspective as well as a detailed understanding of the challenges of each berry commodity across the country. |
Directors representing Raspberries and Blackberries Australia (RABA)
| Gavin Scurr | Richard McGruddy |
|---|---|
| Gavin is a seasoned fresh produce grower and industry leader respected for farming innovation and commitment to quality. A hands-on visionary, Gavin heads a management team and board of directors. He is former chairman of the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), a director of the Raspberry and Blackberry Australia board (RABA) and also the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA). Gavin is also on the NT Farmers Association board, is a member of the pineapple industry marketing advisory committee and managing director of joint venture company, BerryWorld Australia. | Richard is the Director of Red Hill Berries based in south-east Queensland. The farms operations use protected cropping, comprehensive IPM strategies and high tech irrigation to grow both strawberries and raspberries. Founded in 2003 on an old pineapple farm at Caboolture, Red Hill Berries now operates across 5 separate sites including Wamuran and Applethorpe on the Granite Belt. |
Directors representing Strawberries Australia (SAI)
| Simon Dornauf | Jamie Michael |
|---|---|
| The Dornauf family has been farming in the Meander Valley just north of Launceston for three generations. Their life in berries began 30 years ago, when Simon’s father, Robin, began growing raspberries for both domestic and export markets. Simon is the Director and Farm Manager of the current family farm, Hillwood Berries in the Tamar Valley. They grow all four of the major berry types; Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries & Blueberries. | Jamie founded Ti Produce Marketing with Lam Ti Muir in 2003 after they recognised a need for a specialised strawberry export company based in Western Australia. Ti Produce largely handles Western Australian winter strawberries. They source fruit from their grower base of approximately 20 growers in the Wanneroo/Carabooda area with a combined planting of approximately 7 million plants. |
