Queensland growers know better than most that natural disasters are part of the landscape. Cyclones, floods, fires, and storms aren’t just weather events - they are business interruptions, crop losses, and community upheavals. While the risks that come with climate variability and natural disasters are second nature to growers, resilience alone cannot carry an industry through disaster after disaster. That is where QFVG’s advocacy has made a measurable difference.

Few words carry as much weight for Queensland horticulture as biosecurity. The stakes are clear: one unchecked pest or disease could shut down a $3 billion sector overnight. Growers already invest heavily in on-farm biosecurity, acting as both the first and last line of defence. But they cannot, and should not, shoulder this responsibility alone. QFVG has been vocal in pressing governments to match growers’ commitment with a system that is better resourced, more coordinated, and genuinely effective.

In 2024/25, growers again identified the burden, cost, and duplication of compliance - and whether it is truly fit for purpose - as one of the key factors influencing their decision to remain in or leave the industry.

A stable and skilled workforce is the backbone of Queensland horticulture, yet growers continue to face major challenges in securing and retaining labour. This year, QFVG has led the charge to ensure training settings and workforce policies reflect the real needs of growers, not just government priorities.

Few issues this year have cut as close to the bone as supermarket conduct. For growers, the imbalance in bargaining power with major retailers isn’t a new story - but in 2024/25, it finally broke into the national spotlight, and QFVG made sure growers’ voices were at the centre of the conversation.