2015 Nuffield Scholar James Terry, Koo Wee Rup VIC - Economic Sustainability of Vegetable Farming

James Terry, from Koo Wee Rup in Victoria, received a 2015 Nuffield Scholarship supported by The William Buckland Foundation. He studied various horticulture export business models and strategies — what works and what doesn’t. James is a partner and the export manager for Momack Produce, the largest exporter of asparagus in Australia, producing around 3500 tonnes each season. The company also exports onions, broccoli, brussel sprouts and some mixed consolidation shipments from the Melbourne market. He is also a partner and operations manager for the Iona Farm Partnership, growing asparagus on a 64-hectare property near Koo Wee Rup. James says there is concern that vegetable farming in Australia is not a viable and sustainable occupation for business owners. James visited Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, USA, New Zealand, England, Netherlands, Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan on his individual study.