Australia’s horticulture export sector has recorded its strongest year on record, with Hort Innovation’s latest Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook revealing total fresh export value has climbed to $3.5 billion, up 13 per cent on the previous year– and more than doubling in the past decade.

Driven by exceptional performance in almonds, table grapes, citrus, cherries and emerging export categories such as watermelon, the results highlight Australia’s growing reputation for high‑quality produce and the strengthening demand across key Asian and global markets.

These export figures reflect the uplift in significant momentum across multiple commodity groups, with exporters capitalising on improved seasonal conditions, expanded market access, and strategic trade relationships.

Key highlights include:

• Almonds, table grapes and citrus led the surge, with almonds hitting a record $1.3 billion (+23 per cent), table grapes rising by $100.2 million, and citrus achieving its highest combined export value on record at $569.7 million.
• Several categories hit all‑time highs, including cherries ($91.3 million), pistachios ($32.6 million) and watermelons ($22 million), alongside strong results in strawberries ($36.8 million) and grapefruit ($5.3 million).
• Vegetables continued to demonstrate export strength in key categories, with carrots and potatoes maintaining first and second highest export value respectively year‑on‑year.
• Key market value accelerated, with China up 58 per cent and strong growth into India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, and Indonesia, reinforcing rising global demand for Australian produce.

Hort Innovation chief executive Brett Fifield says exports are an essential part of Australia’s horticulture story, and this year’s results show remarkable progress.

“Record export values across a number of categories reflect the strength of our growers, the quality of our produce, and the capability of our supply chains to deliver into competitive global markets.

“As markets evolve and demand for fresh, premium Australian produce continues to rise, this data highlights how relationship building and projects focused on growing our export market access continue to add important value for Australian growers,” Brett adds.

“It also provides growers and industry with the insights needed to continue lifting export performance, strengthening profitability and positioning Australia as a leader in global horticulture.”

Frank Frappa, executive general manager of international sales at Premier Fresh Australia, says the past citrus season delivered strong growth across the industry, their citrus business seeing exports and domestic to have had tremendous growth compared with the previous year.

“That growth reflects a good overall growing season,” Frank says.

“We saw better fruit size and eating quality, combined with a disciplined approach to selecting the right markets, backed by strong retail programs and consistent demand,” he says.

“By investing in early planning, frequent customer engagement and long‑term relationships, over time, our focus has evolved toward more forward‑planned programs that build long‑term partnerships and support sustainable growth.”

The Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook is produced annually by Hort Innovation and Kynetec, part of Fresh Logic, and is the most comprehensive source of national horticulture data, covering production volumes, values, trade performance and long‑term trends across more than 70 horticulture categories.

A further round of regional data for this year’s handbook is set to be released before the end of financial year.

See the latest results or read more about the Handbook at horticulture.com.au/hort-stats