Hort Innovation has released its 2025/26 Annual Report, showcasing a year of investment, industry collaboration and on-the-ground impact across Australia’s $18.4 billion horticulture sector.

Driven by purpose and partnerships, the report shows how Hort Innovation is working with growers, industry, government, researchers, delivery partners and co-investors to support growers in responding to challenges and opportunities.

In 2025/26, Hort Innovation invested $175.3 million, supporting work to lift productivity, improve access to technology and crop protection, strengthen biosecurity, grow local and global demand and build industry capability.

Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said the report reflects the organisation’s commitment to ensuring investment remains practical, relevant and shaped by industry priorities.

“Australian horticulture continues to show clear momentum and opportunity, but growers are also navigating rising costs, labour constraints, biosecurity risks, seasonal variability and changing consumer expectations,” Mr Fifield said.

“These realities reinforce the importance of investing in solutions that are practical, relevant and shaped by industry priorities. While progress has been made, we know there is more work to do to ensure growers can clearly see the value created through their investment and benefit from it sooner.”

The report also reflects on the completion of the Hort Innovation Strategy 2024-2026 and looks ahead to Strategy 2031, informed by more than 1,000 growers and industry stakeholders through the Horticulture Investment Roadmaps.