Close to 30 northern producers will unite with their southern Queensland counterparts to learn more about the benefits provided by exporting through the Port of Townsville during the northern leg of the Paddock to Port Tour on July 2.
Port of Townsville manager of trade and business development Maria James said the producers, hailing from the Burdekin, Whitsundays and Atherton Tableland regions secured their spots for the tour during the FNQ Field Days.
"The tour was instigated by the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) last year, and proved successful," Ms James said.
"This year the tour group are again visiting the Port of Townsville, Port of Mackay and the Gladstone Port Corporation, and it's a great opportunity for interested producers in the north to attend the Townsville leg," she said.
The day will begin with Ms James presenting on the capacity and capability of the Port of Townsville as a premier agricultural product export option.
"We'll go on a behind-the-scenes look at shipping operations at the port, and guests will learn about our container handling infrastructure, the channel upgrade and the port expansion project."
DAF senior project officer Peter Elliott will discuss horticulture in the north and the opportunities available for producers to collaborate on.
"During this time guests will also gain a better understanding of the Queensland Government Growing Food Exports project's first refrigerated container demonstration trial," Ms James said.
"Guests will be able to view one of the containers, which can keep product fresh for four to six weeks, to see how they work."
Biosecurity Operations Division DAWR manager Lucas Edwards will then provide a briefing on market access protocols, export documentation, inspection services and export establishment registration.
Guests will also have their export logistics questions answered during a Q and A session with logistics service providers, including freight forwarders and container shipping lines.
The tour group will then meet with a DAF research team who're developing systems to produce high quality melons for export markets.
The day will conclude with a tour of the 4000 pallet export accredited cold storage facility, Harbourside Coldstores, meet business director Peter Hinsch, and learn about his 28 years' experience providing NQ with a wide range of refrigerated logistics services.
- Please call (07) 4781 1513 or email trade@townsvilleport.com.au by Friday, June 28 to take part in the Port of Townsville leg of the tour
