Australian melon growers are set to benefit from a new project focused on enhancing export opportunities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This initiative aims to support the industry’s long-term growth and global competitiveness by building stronger understanding of the market and making commercial connections.

Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said, “This project is about creating practical, targeted strategies that help Australian melon growers succeed in international markets. By leveraging expert insights and in-market engagement, we’re positioning our industry to capture new opportunities and deliver premium quality melons to buyers in the Gulf region.”

Led by Export Connect, the project will take a practical approach to building market knowledge and connections for Australian horticulture. Activities will include supermarket tours and buyer meetings at Gulfood, supported by a market insights report outlining competitors, pricing, and potential customers. These findings will help inform future export strategies and provide growers with a clearer understanding of opportunities in key markets.

The intended outcomes are to increase export readiness across the Australian melon industry, expand brand visibility in priority GCC markets, and secure commercial opportunities that drive export volumes. Insights gained will inform future export strategies, enabling levy payers to make well-informed business decisions.

This project is funded by Hort Innovation, using the melon research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.