Victoria Helps Producers Boost Exports To South East Asia

The Brumby Labor Government is helping boost exports and secure regional food jobs by helping Victorian producers boost exports to South East Asia.

Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan said the Government had committed $200,000 to help send nine Victorian food producers to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in a bid to help them boost exports to South East Asia.

“This initiative is about strengthening Victoria’s food industry and securing jobs, particularly in regional Victoria where the food industry accounts for one in five jobs,” she said.

“The Brumby Labor Government is standing up for these producers by supporting the trade mission to allow producers to network with key buyers in South East Asia who supply to major industries such as hotels, airlines and supermarkets.

“These producers are today at a dinner in Kuala Lumpur with major South East Asian buyers, and between 20 and 23 April they will attend the Food and Hotel Australia trade show in Singapore, the biggest food industry trade show in the region attracting up to 40,000 visitors.”

Ms Allan said South East Asia was a significant export market for the Victorian food and beverage sector with four of Victoria’s top 10 food export markets in the region.

“South East Asia accounts for 20 per cent of our Victoria’s total food exports, Ms Allan said.

“Participants on this mission represent the dairy, meat, wine and specialty sectors, all looking to boost exports to buyers who supply restaurants, hotels, airlines and supermarkets.

“They will promote Victorian produce to a range of key buyers, through educational dinners, emphasising the quality, safety, logistics and supply security of such produce.”

Ms Allan said the Industry Capability Mission would involve the companies Australian Sea Fisheries Group, Boundary Bend, Great Southern Waters, Prestige Foods International, Ralph’s Meat Company, Rathbone Wine Group, The Provedore Group, True Organic, and Yabby Lake.

“Among the companies represented, Ralph’s Meat Company are located in the Goulburn Valley, True Organic in Gippsland and the Yabby Lake and the Rathbone Wine Groups come from the Mornington Peninsula, Heathcote and the Yarra Valley regions,” Ms Allan said.

“The food industry is our largest export sector and a key strength of regional Victoria, contributing more than $5.6 billion to the economy, with almost $4 billion coming from food exports in Asia.

“Australia has a strong international reputation for being able to provide a secure, reliable supply of high quality, safe food.”