Floral chain to Japan

The seeds have been sown for Australian native flower exports to achieve significant growth in a large and economically important market.

 A visit to Japan has convinced a researcher of the healthy growth of new and existing markets for exported native Australian cut-flower and cut-foliage products. 

Dr Lilly Lim-Camacho, a postdoctoral researcher with the UQ Gatton campus, made the trip as part of a collaborative project between the University’s Centre for Native Floriculture (CNF) and the Sunshine Coast-based native cut-foliage company, Cedar Hill. Dr Lim-Camacho said the primary focus of the visit to Japan was to examine value chain management for Australian exporters.

“We were tracking Australian products throughout the entire supply chain, meeting with importers, wholesalers and finally florists to discuss what products they are using, why they are using them, and why they like the products they are buying,”
Dr Lim-Camacho said.

“We were working with Cedar Hill, but there are also other companies directly involved in the project. All up, I investigated four chains into the Japanese market.”

Dr Lim-Camacho completed her undergraduate studies at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, before undertaking a PhD project at UQ entitled: Unlocking successful new rural industries: Is supply chains management the key?  The research investigated the management of various supply chains in the olive, Asian vegetable, kangaroo, emu and Australian native flower industries.

Having completed her PhD, Dr Lim-Camacho now works with the CNF and forward-thinking companies such as Cedar Hill to help advance their products into non-traditional markets.   Cedar Hill Marketing and Sales Manager Paul Bruce accompanied Dr Lim-Camacho when she visited Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.

The initiative with the Cedar Hill company and funding partner, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, is one of a number of informative value chain-associated market research and development projects being conducted by the CNF.  The CNF, which opened in 2003, is jointly funded by UQ and the Queensland Government’s Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation.

Director Professor Daryl Joyce said the international market research being undertaken by the Centre’s Value Chain Program headed by Associate Professor Tony Dunne was an excellent example of “benefit delivery” to members of the native floriculture industry.

“Developing a complete and current understanding of native floriculture product supply chains and market requirements will lead to more sales opportunities being created for industry by the Centre,” Professor Joyce said.

“A fully functioning value chain in which all members understand and appreciate each other’s contribution is the key to successful marketing of product.

”The CNF is not only supporting the financial future of the emerging native floriculture industry, but is also sustaining a vital pool of talented specialist staff and students that will deliver technical back-up for the industry.

  • FUNDING: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation; Cedar Hill; Queensland Government; The University of Queensland
  • RESEARCHER: Dr Lilly Lim-Camacho
  • EMAIL:  AGandHORT@uq.edu.au
  • WEB LINK: www.aghort.uq.edu.au

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