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| Australian Dried Fruits Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Australian Dried Fruits Association |
| Type | Industry association |
| Founded | 19XX |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Region served | Australia |
| Membership | Producers, processors, exporters |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
Australian Dried Fruits Association
The Australian Dried Fruits Association is an industry association representing dried fruit growers, processors and exporters in Australia, headquartered in Melbourne. It liaises with national bodies such as the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, trade authorities like the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, and international organizations including the International Trade Centre and the Food and Agriculture Organization. The Association engages with stakeholders across regions such as Sunraysia, Riverina, Mildura, and networks with commodity groups like Wine Australia, Horticulture Innovation Australia, and Grains Research and Development Corporation.
The Association traces its origins to early 20th-century cooperatives in Victoria and New South Wales, emerging alongside institutions such as the Australian Dried Fruit Workers' Union and trading entities in Adelaide and Sydney. Over decades it interacted with statutes like the Trade Practices Act 1974 and agencies including the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and responded to market shifts caused by events such as the Asian financial crisis and trade agreements including the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement and Australia–China Free Trade Agreement. The body restructured in tandem with reforms influenced by leaders from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and agricultural policy reviews led by commissions like the Productivity Commission.
Governance follows models used by peak bodies such as the National Farmers' Federation and boards similar to Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with representation from state branches in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. The Association's constitution references corporate law under the Corporations Act 2001 and practices aligned with standards from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and reporting frameworks like those promoted by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Executive leadership liaises with ministers from portfolios such as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and agencies including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Members include growers from regions like Sunraysia, processors from industrial precincts in Geelong and Ballarat, exporters based in ports such as Port of Melbourne and Port of Adelaide, plus allied service providers akin to firms represented by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia. Corporate members mirror companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and cooperatives similar to historical entities in Mildura. The Association interacts with unions like the Australian Workers Union on labour matters and negotiates standards with bodies like Standards Australia and retail partners such as Woolworths Limited and Coles Group.
Core activities mirror those of commodity councils including Grains Research and Development Corporation and Horticulture Innovation Australia: advocacy before parliaments such as the Parliament of Australia, policy submissions to inquiries by the Senate Select Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and coordination of export certification with Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. It organizes trade delegations to markets like China, Japan, United States, and participates in trade fairs similar to SIAL and Anuga. The Association provides technical guidance akin to manuals from CSIRO and runs training in occupational health and safety following Safe Work Australia guidance.
Standards work references models from Standards Australia and codex guidelines of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, with lab testing protocols comparable to those at facilities like the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation laboratories. Quality control aligns with accreditation schemes such as HACCP and certification frameworks like ISO 22000 and engages with quarantine rules enforced by the Biosecurity Act 2015. The Association collaborates with agencies such as the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority on residue tolerances and with port authorities including Australian Maritime Safety Authority on phytosanitary export procedures.
Market development strategies mirror campaigns run by Wine Australia and tourism-linked promotions by Tourism Australia: coordinated branding, participation in trade missions to Shanghai, Tokyo, Los Angeles and support for exhibitors at trade shows like FHA and Foodex Japan. The Association engages export finance instruments from entities akin to Export Finance Australia and trade facilitation through Australian Trade and Investment Commission services, while pursuing market access via negotiations reflected in outcomes of accords such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans‑Pacific Partnership.
The Association commissions research in collaboration with institutions like CSIRO, universities such as University of Melbourne and Charles Sturt University, and funding partners resembling Rural Research and Development Corporations. Sustainability initiatives echo programs run by Carbon Neutral Adelaide and national strategies from National Farmers' Federation, addressing water management in catchments like the Murray–Darling Basin, energy efficiency, and circular economy approaches aligned with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Innovation efforts include postharvest technology trials with partners similar to The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and adoption of digital agriculture tools promoted by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Category:Food industry trade associations of Australia