AMIA project to benefit growers

Funded through Hort Innovation, the supply chain engagement project will work towards developing and organising activities involving key supply chain stakeholders to build interest, excitement, and an understanding of the mango industry.

Australian Mango Industry Association chief executive officer Brett Kelly said that having the peak industry body for mangoes lead the Hort Innovation project would benefit industry stakeholders, and create greater synergy between key AMIA managed projects, with a focus on ensuring a sustainable and profitable industry.

"The most important thing with this tender is that it gives the AMIA a direct access through our own employee with the engagement with retailers," he said.

"What we're hoping to achieve is a stronger link from our growers with the actual retailers, because that's where the product is sold, where pricing is determined, where all the marketing is, so it will mean better feedback communication and a better outcome."

Mr Kelly said he is excited for AMIA to be leading the initiative, and thinks it will be a great opportunity for members going forward.

"We tend to concentrate on the back end of the business a lot, which is critical in terms of quality, compliance and best practice, but one of the areas that I want to get a bit more attention for our growers is understanding the front end," he said.

"So understanding the marketing, the selling of the product, what the consumer wants, how to negotiate contracts, and all those things that ultimately lead to better profit and sustainability.

"The AMIA team remains focused on working hard for our industry- the growers, retailers, consumers- everyone in our supply chain, to deliver great tasting fruit."

The project supports the broader mango marketing programs managed by Hort Innovation and ties in with other AMIA managed projects; National Mango Industry Communication Program, and Building Best Management Practice Capacity for the Australian Mango Industry.

Andrew Burns will begin as AMIA's supply chain engagement manager to ensure that the project continues to run smoothly during the peak of the mango season.

Andrew has a long history of experience, having been general manager, sales and marketing manager, and integration manager for Norco Foods/Norco Co-operative Limited, and was the national sales operations manager for Arnott's.

"I am excited to have Andrew join our team and have no doubt that he will deliver great outcomes for mango industry stakeholders and will be a great asset," Mr Kelly said.

"Andrew will be able to build on the fantastic work that Hort Innovation has been doing to get the project up and running this season, and that AMIA's former marketing manager, Treena Welch, executed over previous seasons with retailers and other industry stakeholders throughout the supply chain."

The contract for this project will run until September next year.

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