ACC 2024: Keynotes focus on profitable future

A global perspective will kickstart the main conference program at the Australian Citrus Congress 2024, setting the scene for two days of insights and discussions focused on driving industry-wide profitability.

Speaking in the opening keynote session on day one (6 March), US-based Chris Cockle will discuss the evolving nature of the global citrus industry and the outlook for Australian citrus exports.

Cockle is the Vice President of Sales – Imports and Exports at Wonderful Citrus, one of North America’s leading grower-packer-exporters of fresh citrus.

“Chris has his finger firmly on the pulse of global citrus trends and trade patterns,” said Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock. “He’s perfectly positioned to explain where opportunities lie for Australian citrus, both in terms of market development and varietal selections.

“Chris will set the tone for what promises to be a world class conference program, focused on tangible insights that deliver material benefits to Australian growers.”

Cockle’s presentation will home in on consumer dynamics in the North American market, including the import trade and opportunities for Australian suppliers.

He will also highlight inflationary impacts on consumer spending and behaviour.

“As a member of the global citrus community, Wonderful Citrus believes it is important to work together in order to better manage the challenges we face as an industry,” said Cockle.

“New opportunities exist for Australia in the counter seasonal business, in North America and other export markets. To help capture this opportunity, I want to highlight that consumer behaviour is changing and there is plenty of inflationary pressure for both consumers and producers. How we navigate this as a global industry will be important.”

The opening keynote session is focused on macro trends impacting profitability across the citrus sector.

Joining Cockle in this session is Patrick Vizzone. Currently the CFO of Vertical Oceans, Vizzone’s career in corporate and investment banking includes senior leadership roles with ANZ, National Australia Bank and Rabobank.

He currently sits on the board of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), and previously served on the board of China Agri-Industries, the Hong Kong-listed subsidiary of China’s COFCO Group.

Drawing on his deep experience in the agri-food sector, Vizzone will discuss global economic trends impacting premium produce, a pertinent topic given the cost of living crisis, along with rising input and labour costs for Australian growers.

RAISING THE BAR

In keynote session two, experts from across the value chain will outline how the Australian consumer landscape is impacting the industry’s profitability.

The changing mindset of Australian consumers will be the focus of a presentation from Belinda Aanensen of independent market research company fiftyfive5. Aanensen will present consumption trends and consumer insights, highlighting how they relate to the citrus category, along with opportunities to increase consumption.

Marie Gallagher, General Manager of Buying – Fruit & Vegetables at Woolworths, will provide a retailer’s insight into underlying value for the sector.

Michael Dossor, Managing Director of Result Group, will delve into new packaging solutions helping Australian fresh produce companies meet incoming requirements and consumer expectations around sustainability.

Tying these themes together will be Tristan Kitchener of Kitchener Partners. Kitchener, a subject matter expert in grocery retailing and consumer trends, will provide insight into the likely future state and opportunities for growth by retailers and producers.

“Grocery retailing has come under intense pressure from a confluence of forces and pressures across the value chain. The pandemic has driven a wave of innovation and a lasting change in consumer behaviours, which are now being challenged by rising inflation and tightening discretionary spend,” said Kitchener.

“It has never been more important to focus upon solving the pain-points of consumers and working with retailers as they strive to create, as well as capture, ‘value’.

“As the retailers lift the bar for consumers, the supply chain must also adapt to meet these emerging needs, and it will be the businesses that move first that will find growth.”

BUILDING A RESILIENT FUTURE

Day two of the main conference program (7 March) begins with concurrent breakout sessions (see page 10-11) before delegates reconvene in the main auditorium for keynote sessions.

Keynote session three will place the focus on Australian exports, in the face of a new political landscape and the post-Covid era.

Wayne Prowse of Fresh Intelligence Consulting will provide statistical analysis of Australia’s export trade over the last 12 months, highlighting growth in markets such as China, Vietnam and South Korea.

This will be followed by a presentation from Citrus Australia’s General Manager of Market Development, David Daniels, who will discuss opportunities to grow sales in both established and emerging markets. With Australia on track to produce over 1.2m tonnes of citrus annually by 2028, export development is an area of priority for the Australian industry.

Exporters will require reliable transport links to international markets to facilitate this trade growth. Leatrice Treharne from the Port of Melbourne will discuss this point as part of a global shipping update.

A keynote session themed around industry resilience will close out the conference program.

This will include presentations from Juliano Ayres of Fundecitrus, Brazil’s equivalent to Citrus Australia, and Nate Jameson of Florida-based Brite Leaf Nursery. The pair will provide updates on how the citrus industries in their respective regions continue to operate with the presence of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Ayers and Jameson are both speaking at Citrus Australia’s Biosecurity Symposium on 5 March (see pages 12-13).

Citrus Australia’s Market and Quality Information Officer, Mara Milner, will update delegates on Australian production and planting trends, based on data from the Australian Citrus Tree Census.

The program will round out with a research and development ideation session, which will encourage delegate participation. The conversation will centre on what the next ten years looks like for the Australian citrus sector.

“As a whole, the industry has faced some significant challenges over the last few years,” said Hancock. “We’re starting to see signs of prosperity again but we’d be naive to think more challenges won’t come our way.

“Industry resilience will continue to be determined by our ability to review, respond, restore and rebound. This final session will provide a fantastic opportunity to chart a course that not only drives profitability but helps sustain it over the long-term.”

VISIT the Australian Citrus Congress website for a more detailed version of the program, including speaker bios and other event information.

*The Program subject to change

CLICK HERE to register for the Australian Citrus Congress 2024