Fresh produce took centre stage at Hort Connections 2026, bringing thousands of growers, retailers, researchers, suppliers and industry leaders to Adelaide for a jam-packed week of learning, discussion, connection and celebration.

What does the market want from a premium honeydew? How important is shelf appeal in a competitive melon category? And what does strong, reliable performance look like in WA growing conditions? 

We sat down with WA’s Rijk Zwaan melon expert, Lachlan Grierson, to talk about Amberetta RZ and why this golden honeydew is generating interest.

What does the future of celery look like? How are changing household sizes influencing product development? And what role can breeding play in creating new opportunities for growers?

We caught up with Rijk Zwaan brassica crop specialist, Stephanie Knight, to talk about Gimli RZ and how this mini celery is opening up new possibilities across the supply chain.

The vegetable industry came together in Tyabb for the 2026 Victorian Vegetable Innovation Days (VicVID), held across 7–8 May.

The 2026 Hydroponic Farmers Federation (HFF) Conference brought together growers, industry leaders and supply chain partners from across Australia for three days of connection, practical insights and discussion around the future of protected cropping and hydroponic production.

Victorian Vegetable Innovation Days 2026 is just around the corner — and registrations are now open.
This year, we’ll have 85 varieties on display, selected for Australian conditions and focused on performance, efficiency and market fit. take a look at this preview of what’s performing in the field!

What makes a red cabbage variety’s performance stand out from the rest? We caught up with Rijk Zwaan brassica crop specialist, Stephanie Knight, to talk about Red Margarita RZ and why this variety is gaining attention across Australian growing regions.

Babyleaf spinach is now a consistent part of the market, with demand across retail and food service year-round. For growers, that means delivering reliable supply in a crop that can be sensitive to seasonal pressure. Behind that consistency is ongoing work between breeders and growers — refining varieties to perform across Australian conditions, with a focus on disease resistance, climate resilience and suitability for different production systems, including hydroponics.

Making vegetables fun was front and centre at this year’s Little Food Festival, where hands-on activities and interactive experiences helped children build positive connections with fresh food from an early age.