Stakeholder Collaboration Models for Exporting Perishable Agricultural Commodities in Asia

This report presents an analysis of potential agricultural supply chain collaboration models appropriate for the avocado, lychee and mango industries in the Queensland horticultural sector. These models were prepared through a qualitative research approach, utilising direct engagement with the stakeholders as well as a stakeholder collaboration workshop. The key finding arising from this research process was that there were four categories of issues relevant to stakeholder collaboration models in Queensland horticulture. The first category related to the production and includes land availability, water supply availability, capital investment, cost of production, quality produce, genetics, and green production system/regulation. The second category is related to logistics and processing. This category covers transport and technology needs, advanced agricultural technology, and value-added products. The third category is related to marketing the products, including market access to certain medium- and high-income consumers in Asia, brand and traceability, and market discovery. The fourth category is the mode of collaboration which includes horizontal and vertical collaboration. The findings revealed that there is already some collaboration happening in the horticulture sector of Queensland. The study identified potential mechanisms for greater horizontal and vertical supply chain collaborations in exporting perishable commodities from Queensland. In addition, the study found that individual horticultural industry representative bodies (such as Growcom) or processors are important in facilitating horizontal collaboration among farmers. Furthermore, it appears that vertical collaboration within agricultural supply chains in Queensland could be best led by either a single entity or a combination of several leaders, most likely being either processors, a genetics company and/or lead investor.