Harvest Moon is based in Tasmania with operations in Victoria and Queensland, the company supplies the Australian domestic market as well exporting vegetables into the Asian markets.
"Currently we have solid ongoing business relationships in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan, most of those have been in place for 20+ years," explains Export Trading Manager Giancarlo Cassinelli.
"Recently we have been developing new markets like Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea, we are very optimistic about the opportunities in these new markets and the way this will help strengthen the Harvest Moon Brand across Asia. The Malaysian, Singapore and Vietnamese markets have seen particularly good growth."
Harvest Moon can supply the majority of their lines year-round and are working on the supply side on others. Having their main operation in Tasmania and trading operations both in Victoria and Queensland plays a very important role towards that goal.
"Our main products are carrots, onions, broccoli and cauliflowers, but we have been working hard on other export lines like celery and pumpkin, thankfully that hard work has been getting very good results. We are also very active in the snacking vegetable space domestically, we have launched a brand called Snackables which we expect to start exporting in 2023."
The Harvest Moon brand has history and following in Asia, for that reason they are trying to consolidate that brand. However the Snackables brand will play an important role in the portfolio and growth.
Challenges in supplying Asia
"I think everyone had a big challenge with shipping during COVID, delays and high rates went from being the exception to being the rule. In the last few months we seem to be seeing light at the end of that tunnel. Also developing new business without travelling has been a challenge.
"The freight issue has been a journey in itself and the way to mitigate it’s impact has been communication with our business partners, looking for alternative routes and sadly walking away from some markets that became unfeasible. On the business development front the technology adoption has been massive globally and for Harvest Moon is no different, finding ways to open new doors and continue those longstanding relationships virtually has been paramount for us.
Harvest Moon will be attending Asia Fruit Logistica in Bangkok next month at stand Q-53 and Giancarlo said their first objective is to recover that personal touch that a family owned business like Harvest Moon has.
"Then of course we want to explore new opportunities in the fast growing Asian economies and present or develop new options in the markets we already have a presence in. We are also excited about presenting Snackables and getting feedback from the industry."
For more information:
Giancarlo Cassinelli
Harvest Moon
Tel: +61 3 9742 1806
gcassinelli@harvestmoon.com.au