Melons Australia's CEO Update


As we wrap up November, I’m excited to share some key updates and opportunities across our industry:

🌱 Upcoming Carnarvon Roadshow & Melon Field Day
Planning is well underway for our Carnarvon Roadshow on 2 December 2025, followed by the Melon Field Day. We look forward to seeing our WA contingent there—it promises to be an engaging and informative event.

🌍 Driving Export Growth
We continue to progress our industry’s export interests:
  • EOIs are about to close for the January 2026 Trade Mission to Dubai. There’s still time to register, and funding support is available for levy payers—don’t miss this opportunity! Register your interest here!
  • We’re actively engaging with Government to streamline processes for opening new markets, including developing the necessary data sets to support these efforts.
  • Market access proposals for India and Vietnam are currently under development, which will help diversify and strengthen our global reach.
 

🔬 R,D&E Update Webinar
Thank you to everyone who joined our latest Research, Development & Extension update webinar on Friday, 21 November. If you missed it, the recording is available here: https://youtu.be/sQnMTF23mEE. Thanks to all our presenters!

🎉 Celebrating National Agriculture Day
On Friday, 21 November, we proudly joined events across the country to celebrate National Agriculture Day—a fantastic initiative by the National Farmers’ Federation. We hope everyone enjoyed a slice of celebration!

Our team has recently been engaging on the Biosecurity arrangements between Victoria and Queensland on the impact of Tomato Potato Psyllid in Victoria and proposed arrangements for all fruit going from Victoria to QLD (there are no requirements for melons going from Victoria to other Australian markets). We will report in more detail over the coming week regarding arrangements – stay tuned.

As always, if there is anything that the Melons Australia team can support or assist you with please feel free to reach out.

Johnathon Davey CEO

E: ceo@melonsaustralia.org.au

P: +61 407 032 023

www.melonsaustralia.org.au

Melons RD&E Project Update Webinar November 2025


Our webinar held last Friday provides a clear, grounded update on the latest RD&E work happening across some of the Hort Innovation melon levy funded projects, including progress on key projects, practical findings, and what’s coming next.

Project leads gave a 10 minute update on each of the following:
  • Identification and Management of a Fungal Disease Complex in Melons (VM22001) - Understanding Fusarium Wilt of Melons
  • Soil Wealth & Integrated Crop Protection (MT22004) - An Update from the Field
  • Strengthening the Sustainability of Melon Production (VM23001) - Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Melons Production in Australia
  • Melon Quality Improvement Program (VM23002) - Predicting Earliest Melon Harvest Date
 

Last Chance to Join the UAE Market Visit Program! January 2026


NOTE: EOI’s are closing and this is the final chance to apply!

Melons Australia, in partnership with Export Connect, is inviting melon growers and exporters to take part in the UAE Market Visit Program, running from 24–29 January 2026, to coincide with Gulfood 2026.

This in-market program will give Australian melon growers and exporters the chance to gain first-hand insights into the UAE’s dynamic environment, connect with leading importers and buyers across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and strengthen their export capabilities through tailored research, tours and meetings.

Participants in the program will benefit from:
  • Market and Competitor Insights: In-depth analysis of consumer trends, category and channel insights, and the competitive landscape.
  • Guided Market Tours: Structured retail and wholesale market tours.
  • BuyerMeetings: Group sessions with leading buyers from prominent regional importers and retailers.
  • Export Advice: Ongoing export guidance during the visit to help transform insights into concrete market opportunities.
 

This is an unparalleled opportunity to experience the UAE’s premium retail environment, connect directly with key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) importers, and build your business’s export readiness for long-term success.

Expressions of Interest are still open and will close imminently.

We are also excited to announce that thanks to the Hort Innovation Melon Fund there are a limited number of part-funded positions available for levy-paying grower-exporters to participate in this trade mission.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enter and grow in one of the world’s fastest-growing premium food markets

Harvest Prediction Tools Delivering Strong Results for Growers


The sampling and measurement protocols developed by the project in 2024 are now being used on-farm to generate real-time harvest predictions, and the early results have been extremely encouraging. Growers have reported clear, practical benefits from the accuracy of the predictions, which are generated from the data collected during the on-farm maturity monitoring. One grower commented that they were “very impressed” with how closely the predictions matched their own assessments.

Project Lead Mark Loeffen says, “We are very pleased with the positive feedback from growers and the tangible benefits they are telling us they are receiving from the harvest predictions we are providing as part of this project. The whole aim of this project is to help growers and the wider supply chain consistently supply consumers with melons they enjoy eating.”

Retail inspections are also playing an important role in building a full picture of melon quality through the supply chain and linking consumer outcomes back to maturity at harvest. These inspections will continue throughout January, with only a short pause over the statutory holidays.

Growers who would like support with maturity monitoring, harvest prediction, or supply-chain assessment are welcome to contact the project team at mark.loeffen@delytics.com

🎄 Christmas Closure Notice 🎄


Our office will be closed from COB Tuesday, 23 December 2025, and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026.

If you need anything during this period, please feel free to contact Johnathon on his mobile - 0407 032 023

Youth Biosecurity Hub


A new national online platform is now live, providing educators, students and community groups with engaging, age-appropriate tools to build biosecurity awareness across Australia.

Developed by Plant Health Australia (PHA) with funding from the Queensland Government through the Queensland Biosecurity Grants Program, the Youth Biosecurity Hub offers a centralised library of curriculum-aligned lesson plans and interactive resources. It also includes an eLearning course. It also includes an eLearning course, Biosecurity Heroes, Protecting our country, designed to inspire young Australians to become biosecurity heroes.

Have your say in the National Farmer Wellbeing Survey


The 2025 National Farmer Wellbeing Survey is now open. It’s quick, confidential, and easy to complete—perfect to tackle over a cuppa. If you’re a farmer or work anywhere in agriculture, you’re invited to share your experiences for a chance to win one of ten $200 prepaid VISA cards.

The survey is open to anyone working in Australian farming and agriculture, across all regions, commodities and business sizes. Your input will help pinpoint where support is most needed and guide future initiatives to strengthen wellbeing across the sector for generations to come.

This is the second National Farmer Wellbeing Survey delivered by the National Farmers’ Federation and Norco, Australia’s oldest 100% farmer-owned dairy co-operative. First launched in 2023, the survey was created to highlight the realities, challenges and resilience of Australian farmers. This year’s follow-up will help track what has changed, what hasn’t, and what farmers need now to continue to thrive.

Tasting Innovation: Lessons From Spain’s Melon Fields


Sponsored by Rijk Zwaan

A group of Australian melon growers and industry leaders visited Rijk Zwaan’s melon trial centre in Spain to explore how strong branding, thoughtful retail presentation and innovative varieties are driving impressive market demand across Europe. The tour revealed how deeply melons are woven into Spanish consumer habits, supported by consistent quality, clever product placement and clear grower-to-customer visibility—insights the group hopes to adapt for local conditions.

Armed with learnings from the fields and retail shelves abroad, the industry is now looking to bring similar momentum to the Australian market. With promising new varieties on the horizon and a renewed focus on how melons reach consumers, growers and industry partners are working together to build a more vibrant, efficient and consumer-focused melon category at home.

Australian-Grown Innovation


Do you have an idea or the beginnings of an idea to help tackle industry challenges such as intergenerational farm transfer solutions, climate resilience strategies, value-added product innovation, technology-driven solutions harnessing AI, and supply chain improvements. If so The Australian-Grown Innovation program, run by Startupbootcamp and Cluster Connect in partnership with Hort Innovation might be just what you need to help turn your idea or spark into a profitable reality!

The Australian-Grown Innovation Program mentors growers and horticulture supply chain participants to transform ideas into commercially viable products and services over five years. 

The Engage workshop, a hands-on, in-person event, helps participants understand innovation’s importance using tools like the Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas, guided by experienced industry leaders. Attendees engage in practical exercises to diversify income, enhance efficiency, and tackle real-world issues within a supportive regional network, offering a great opportunity to connect and shape the future of Australian horticulture.

Young Horticulturists Unite Across the Nation for National Ag Day Celebration


Young agricultural professionals across Australia gathered for a celebration of National Agriculture Day, with Young Horties events running across multiple states. More than 120 emerging horticultural leaders took part in farm tours, hands-on learning, and networking designed to build skills, confidence, and community.

The Young Horties Committee said the day wasn’t just a date on the calendar—it was a chance to strengthen the next generation of Australian horticulture by connecting passionate young professionals with experienced growers and industry mentors. The enthusiasm across all states showed just how eager young people are to learn, explore new innovations, and build long-term careers in the sector.

Participants visited active horticultural operations, discovered new growing systems and technologies, and forged connections that will support their future in agriculture.

Young Horties is inviting melon growers and melon industry partners to join. Whether you’re looking to support young talent, share your knowledge, or encourage your team to get involved, this is your chance to help shape the future of our industry’s workforce.

Follow Young Horties for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved:
LinkedIn: @younghorties
Instagram: @younghorties

Melons Australia Roadshow


Melons Australia, in partnership with Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), invites you to the Carnarvon Roadshow. Join us to hear from industry researchers, suppliers, and the Melons Australia team as we share updates on current projects, research, and key industry insights.

Following the presentations, enjoy an opportunity to network over drinks and canapés.

Date: Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 4pm

Location: Carnarvon Motel, 34 David Brand Dr, Brockman WA 6701

Topics include:
  • Mangoes and Melons industry updates
  • Mangoes marketing update
  • RD&E progress (including Food Safety & Quality Improvement)
  • Biosecurity and more
 

Then on Wednesday 3 December join us for a Melon field day at the Carnarvon DPRID Research Station.

RSVP: Courtney - comms@melonsaustralia.org.au - 0475 270 285

Fall Armyworm and Insecticide Resistance Management


Tune in for a webinar on Fall Armyworm and Insecticide Resistance Management to learn how industries across the world are managing insecticide resistance in this damaging pest.

👉 Pre-registration is required

đź“… Thursday 4 December 2025
⏰11:00 Brisbane | 12:00 Canberra/Sydney | 08:00 Jakarta | 09:00 Singapore

Free Ticket! 2026 XI International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops


Hort Innovation is offering melon growers a free ticket to the industry-focused workshop and technical tour at Tatura SmartFarm, Victoria, from 18–23 January 2026.

The ticket provides access to:

🌱 Research and development sessions and presentations (Tuesday, 20 January)

🚌 A technical tour of the Goulburn Valley (Wednesday, 21 January)

The workshop will explore “Sustaining future orchard profitability in years with reduced access to irrigation water”, covering AI applications, advanced irrigation technologies, and innovative agronomic practices.

Simply tell us in 25 words or less why you wish to attend (email: comms@melonsaustralia.org.au). No transport or accommodation costs will be covered.


Contact:

Melons Australia

E: ceo@melonsaustralia.org.au

Copyright © 2025 Melons Australia

All rights reserved.

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