Queensland businesses spice-up South East Asia

Queensland businesses are among a record 140 Australian food and wine producers from around the country to participate in Asia's largest food trade event - Food and Hotel Asia (FHA).

In a bid to grab a larger slice of the multi-billion market, they are showcasing the finest of Australian flavours and produce to top Asian buyers and importers in the Austrade-organised National Pavilion.

Austrade’s Regional Director for ASEAN, South Asia and the Pacific, David Twine says the Sinapore event – which runs from April 20 to 23 – is an important part of Austrade’s strategy to boost Australia’s food and beverage exports to South East Asia.

“The South East Asian markets are some of Australia’s closest and most significant export markets. In 2007-08, Australian food exports to the ASEAN member countries was worth over $4.3 billion, nearly five times that of (exports to) China at $928 million,” Twine says.

“The region’s growing middle class with their increasing affluence and cosmopolitan tastes has created diverse and expanding opportunities for Australian businesses,” he says.

“The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) has further enhanced opportunities through tariff reductions for some categories of food products.”

FHA showcases the latest trends in food retail and hospitality to decision makers from around the world; attracting exhibitors from as far as Spain and Italy.

Queensland businesses attending the event include: Simpson Farms (Childers); Australian Agricultural Company (Milton); Regal Meats (South Brisbane); SENCE Rose Nectar (Capalaba); IMTP (Murrarie); Australian Food Corporation (Coominya); Western Meat Exporters (Charleville); Rice Cube (Peregian Beach); and Pacvest Wines(Surfers Paradise).