Over the past five years the Australian citrus industry has worked incredibly hard to meet challenges in both the domestic and overseas markets. It has been tough. But there are runs on the board and I salute the industry for its efforts. In particular, the industry's success in becoming a net exporter of high quality fresh fruit and opening up new export markets has been impressive. But it is encouraging that the industry has been able to compensate, to an extent, for the overall decline in sales to Asia by increasing exports to other parts of the world.
Exports are now a key part of the industry's focus for the future.
Importantly too, the growth in exports has far outstripped the growth in imports of citrus products. The Brazilian industry plays a key role in determining world prices for fresh and processed citrus products. They have been hit by the effects of El Nino as well as by diseases such as citrus canker. I know that many in the citrus industry feel that, despite your best efforts in improving the efficiency of your operations from the planting stage through to processing and marketing, things do not seem to get better. I would be the first to acknowledge that you face an intensely competitive environment.