Singapore and Australia have a vibrant relationship with strong trade ties. In 2022, the Prime Ministers agreed to begin work on a bilateral food pact to support enhanced supply chain resilience and greater flows in trade and investments of both nations' food supply.

Consumer purchasing preferences have started to shift away from wet markets and more towards supermarkets and through a small channel of online purchasing.  A wide variety of fresh produce is available in Singapore year-round, and consumers expect high-quality, tasty fruit and vegetables. However, price remains an important factor.

While Singapore’s government is pushing to boost domestic production, they currently do not produce a significant proportion of fresh produce, so rely heavily on imported goods.

With over 90 per cent of food being imported into Singapore, this creates opportunity for Australian horticulture, with an already established reputation in-market for high quality and safe produce.

Top ten levy-funded Australian exports to Singapore by volume for the year ending February 2024

1. Carrot and turnip – 10,470 tonnes
2. Orange – 8,765 tonnes
3. Avocado – 4,713 tonnes
4. Table grape – 3,503 tonnes
5. Melon (excluding watermelon) – 3,369 tonnes
6. Pumpkin (including squash and gourds) – 2,413 tonnes
7. Potato – 2,311 tonnes
8. Cauliflower and broccoli – 1,973 tonnes
9. Celery – 1,900 tonnes
10. Mandarin – 1,801 tonnes

Market access to Singapore

Singapore is a Non-protocol market meaning that fresh produce is permitted entry without a phytosanitary certificate. Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.

Singapore is the seventh-highest export location for Australian fruit, nuts and vegetables

Year ending February 2024

Useful links

• See more export facts and figures in Hort Innovation’s 2022/23 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook here
• Gain insights into international consumers for 13 of Australia’s priority export markets here
• See how key Aussie export stakeholders and authorities are joining forces to help protect and grow Australia’s horticultural exports with the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) here
• Access the Hort IQ International Consumer Needs dashboard here
• Access the Austrade Go Global toolkit here

See also

Australia's top ten trade horticultural commodities here