Record shipments of Australian biological fertiliser are heading to horticultural and agricultural producers in Vietnam and Cambodia to help boost food production in the region.

Exports of Neutrog Australia’s fertiliser have more than doubled over the past year with the Adelaide Hills-based company also expanding into the Californian almond market and selling to New Zealand vegetable growers for the first time.

“Global food producers are looking for innovative ways to improve productivity and agricultural sustainability,” Neutrog Australia Managing Director Angus Irwin said.

“We have a range of organically-based biological products that are ideally suited for overseas growers and farmers. We have really only begun to scratch the surface of this growing global market. Vietnam alone imports close to 2 million tonnes each year of organic product. Hence, the opportunity to increase our export sales further, is extremely positive.”

Exports rose 112% in 2024 to over 6,000 tonnes, the highest level in Neutrog’s 36 years, and now represent around 7% of the company’s total revenue of more than $21 million.

“All signs point to an even stronger 2025 with January being one of the busiest export months we’ve ever seen, and record forward orders booked,” Mr Irwin said.

“We have at least two 26-tonne containers going out every day for the next three months, equating to over 3,000 tonnes and the enquiries are still coming in.”

Shipments of Neutrog’s Bounce Back and Rapid Raiser fertiliser are heading to Vietnam to be used by local farmers and in neighbouring Cambodia.

Its advanced biological formula product POPUL8 is being exported to California for trials by almond growers and to New Zealand for its hydroponic horticulture industry.

“In Asia specifically, many of our customers are regional producers whose livelihood absolutely depends on the success of their crop,” Mr Irwin said.

“They want products they can trust to be effective and safe to use. Word-of-mouth has been critical to our growth overseas as have our distributor relationships.”

Neutrog is in the midst of a major growth phase, and over the past five years staff numbers have risen from around 40 to 70.

Last year Neutrog acquired national liquid fertiliser manufacturer Rutec and purchased a farming property at Langhorne Creek in South Australia to be used as part of its ongoing research and development program.  Meanwhile construction of Neutrog’s new $3.5 million research and education facility at Kanmantoo is expected to begin soon.