Orchard Manager, Russel Field and the Montague tree nectarines

Well-known Australian fruit distributor, Montague, is set to pack its first box of nectarines for China this week at its Narre Warren, Victoria, packaging facility.

The fruit distributor is sending its first box of nectarines to China after thirteen years of negotiation between Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), Federal Departments of Agriculture, Summer Fruit Australia and the Chinese Government.

As the 2016-17 summer fruit season begins, the horticulture industry expects the Chinese demand for such stone fruit to rise to as much as cherries, China’s fastest growing import.

Cherry imports to China totalled 94,288 tonnes in 2014/15 season.

Rowan Little, Montague Fresh General Manager Business Development, said the introduction of the new export protocol between Australia and China presents a huge opportunity for the local horticulture industry.

“We believe we will be able to supply the highest quality nectarines to the Chinese population,” Little said.

The Montague team visited markets, retail outlets, and potential customers in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in September 2016 to build customer relationships and to understand the diverse markets within China.

Montague has since created a targeted marketing strategy to raise awareness and understanding of nectarines while supporting the Chinese distributors through local social media channels such as WeChat.

The Montague family, which owns Montague Fresh, has been growing fruit for the Australian market since 1948.

The business has been exporting stone fruit and apples to various markets throughout the world since its establishment. Today, Montague exports apples to Europe and the UK and stone fruit to countries including the Germany, the UAE, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

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