Exemplifying excellence – CEO Report Winter 2023

In early June we had the opportunity to bring the industry together in a series of great events: the APAL Awards for Excellence that recognise the significant contributions of our members, and our APAL Forum that steps into the issues and opportunities we have.  

In this issue of AFG we celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals from across the apple and pear industry. The award nominations received for the APAL Awards for Excellence this year showcased exceptional talent and demonstrated the incredible passion and dedication of many remarkable individuals within our industry. 

Congratulations to all of our award recipients, we commend you on your achievements and thank you for your contributions. You can read the detailed profiles on all of the award recipients on pages 6 to 15. 

Dare to Grow: Industry Forum incites compelling discussion

Following the Awards for Excellence celebration, we hosted the most compelling APAL Industry Forum yet, with speakers from PwC, Rabobank, the Food and Grocery Code and the ACCC on the roster. Equally valuable, the opportunity to catch up during the breaks and reconnect with people from the different growing regions around the country.  

As you are aware, the majority of APAL’s events take place in the orchard – such as the Future Orchards® walks – but the APAL Forum provides insights into consumer trends, an understanding what drives retailer behaviour and, more broadly, the opportunities and threats beyond the farmgate, which are critical for growers to make informed decisions about their businesses. 

Bernard Salt’s return at the 2023 Forum provided a comprehensive economic trends overview, unpacking the drivers of demand in our industry and the shifts in consumer behaviour, drawing on insights derived from the latest census results. This session provided growers with a deeper understanding of the consumer landscape, that will in turn enable them to make strategic decisions for future seasons aligned with market trends. 

Chris Leptos, Independent Reviewer from the Food and Grocery Code, and Mick Keogh, Deputy Chair of the ACCC, explored the complexities of supplier–retailer relationships and strategies for effective navigation, with input from Helen McKenzie, Code Arbiter for Woolworths. This session was incredibly powerful in dispelling some of the misconceptions around the effectiveness of the Code and the levers that can be pulled for fair negotiations around pricing with the retailers. You can read more about their presentations and about the presentations by Nigel Collins, author of Game of Inches, and Jaclyn Hope, Food and Agribusiness Advisory Partner at PwC in this issue of AFG. 

Further work is being carried out by the National Farmers’ Federation Horticulture Council around competition and the retailers, and we hope to have more to share on this in the coming months. 

We have received positive feedback that the recent APAL events were well received, so thank you to all of the industry participants for taking valuable time out of their schedules to attend and contribute to these great events. 

Our next major event is the APAL Technical (R&D) Day, which will be held from 9–11 August in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley. Details will be communicated in the Industry Juice e-newsletter and via email and social media. 

Pictured at the APAL Forum were (left to right) Andrew Smith from R&R Smith, Daniel Nicoletti from Nicoletti Orchards, Kinnan Brightman from R&R Smith, APAL CEO Phil Turnbull, and Scott Price from R&R Smith.
Photo: Ned Meldrum Photography

This article was first published in the Winter 2023 edition of AFG.