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The Australian Government is investing in an advanced blockchain traceability system that will help protect our clean, green and safe food image – and boost export opportunities for farmers.

Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said North Sydney-based FreshChain Systems will use $195,000 in Traceability Grants Program funding to digitise end-to-end traceability in horticulture across Australia.

“FreshChain’s end-to-end traceability system has broad applications across all food, fibre and agricultural products for authentication, provenance, food safety and consumer engagement,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This system that ensures food safety, biosecurity and traceability will benefit all participants in the supply chain.

“It supports the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Traceability Framework and protects the Australian brand in export markets by preventing food fraud, reducing food waste and maintaining consumer confidence.

“It’s important during these challenging times have a resilient fresh food supply system.

“With innovations like this from FreshChain, we can show consumers domestically and internationally greater transparency and real time convenience around the origins and safety of agricultural products.

“The Australian Government invests in projects like these because modern, accurate, and timely traceability systems help provide even stronger assurances to our trading partners and consumers about the safety and quality of our fantastic produce.”

Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman said FreshChain Systems will pilot its blockchain-enabled technology across high-risk horticultural products like melons, berries and leafy greens from field to fork.

“In collaboration with industry partners, the project will demonstrate the benefits of technology, ease of integration and adoption across the supply chain through to export markets,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“They will develop a data-sharing portal for registered supply chain participants including government agencies for rapid response and targeted product recall during food safety emergencies.

“COVID-19 has significantly heightened consumer awareness about where our food comes from so end-to-end assurance systems like this will be even more important.

“I am proud to say that an innovative Aussie company based right here in North Sydney is one of the world leaders in developing this technology and the Australian Government looks forward to seeing the results of the pilot.”

Greg Calvert of FreshChain said: “Our goal is to help build a resilient fresh food supply chain where systems speak the same language to enhance Australia’s reputation as a supplier of fresh and safe food.”

FreshChain Systems’ project is one of 16 to share in $4 million funding under the first round of the Australian Government’s Traceability Grants Program.

The $7 million program will run over a minimum of two rounds until June 2023. For more details click on this link .

Fast facts:

• The Traceability Grants Program supports industry projects that will enhance our agricultural supply chain traceability systems, including developing and trialling technologies that digitise information flow.
• The program also aims to provide an advantage for our exporters in overseas markets and to increase opportunities to export Australian commodities.
• The program is part of the Australian Government’s Modernising Agricultural Trade agenda to support the target of a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.