The Australian wildflower industry could benefit from better export efficiency following the release of two new reports focussing on the Japanese market.

The two reports have been produced by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) which aims to provide the knowledge for diversification in Australia’s rural industries.

RIRDC’s General Manager of New Rural Industries, Roslyn Prinsley, said wildflowers had achieved considerable export success in Japan and the new reports would help the industry develop further.

“Exporting wildflowers to Japan: Developing a supply chain for a new rural industry” is a report that can be used as a model for other industries aiming to improve their supply chain efficiency,” Dr Prinsley said.

“This study identifies how firms involved in the wildflower supply chain can improve their management strategies to better meet their customers’ needs.

“By providing a better understanding of the real needs of the Japanese market and how to meet them, the report provides the wildflower industry with a strategy to improve and sustain their competitive advantage.

“It identifies factors such as consistency of quality, reliable supply, reasonable prices and improved bunching as keys to meeting the demands of the Japanese market.  Addressing these issues will help develop a more sustainable industry, which has flow-on affects for the rural communities where wildflowers are grown.

Dr Prinsley said the second report – “Flowers by Sea:  Improving market access for Australian wildflowers” - was the result of research trials into whether sea freight could be a feasible option for wildflower exports to Japan.

“Rising air freight costs and a high Australian dollar have reduced industry profitability.  This project undertook both a lab-based experiment and a trial shipment to Japan to establish whether costs could feasibly be cut by sea freight.  Sea freight costs are often only about 60 per cent of those of air freight.

“It found that it is physically possible for some species to be exported by sea and retain acceptable quality and vase life, but some supply chain issues would have to be addressed and up-to-date information on costs and returns from the Japanese market would have to be evaluated on a product-by-product basis.

“Both of these reports can be used by industry to further improve their supply chain management and help develop a more profitable and sustainable rural industry,” Dr Prinsley said.

The reports are available for download at www.rirdc.gov.au (go to “What’s new”) or call (02) 6271 4160.

Media enquiries:
Danny O’Brien – RIRDC Communications Manager – 02 6271 4175 or 0438 130 445