GLOBAL demand for dairy products is outstripping Australia's milk supply, but consumers in emerging Asian markets have yet to be persuaded they should increase their red meat consumption.
Speaking at a Mildura forum this month, UK berry producer and food-marketing expert Professor David Hughes said Asia's population and income growth made it a key market for Australia.
"What you want is a population profile with lots of young people who are growing their income and looking to improve their diet," Prof Hughes said. "Which is exactly what you've got on your doorstep."
Dr Hughes said Australian farmers were not the lowest cost producers "of anything", so they should look at what people valued and paid a premium for.
"In China, they're obsessed with health and they see the link between improved diets and health," he said.
"So, if we're producing fresh fruit and vegetables we're right-bang on target with regard to health and wellbeing."
Dr Hughes said the market for berries grew 90 per cent between 2004 and last year, as shoppers began to regard them as "super fruits" because they were a guilt-free snack containing high levels of antioxidants.
But surveys had shown only half of UK households ever bought apples or pears each year and just 27 per cent bought citrus.
Dr Hughes said annual pear consumption was about 1kg a person in Australia, the UK and the US, compared to 28kg in Italy.
"I bet half of Australians never eat citrus," he said. "That shows how much potential there is to grow consumption."
