$2M funding agreement to support SA’s food and beverage exporters
A $2 million funding agreement between the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI) and Food South Australia will deliver over four years, a range of trade-related programs and initiatives to support the state’s exporters to enter and grow in global markets.
South Australia’s overall merchandise exports to April 2024 reached $17.9 billion, with the state’s top three export markets being China, valued at $3.9 billion, up 42 per cent year-on-year and the highest on record; the United States, which for the first time exceeded $2 billion, with merchandise exports valued at $2.1 billion, up 38 per cent; and Malaysia, valued at $1.2 billion.
This comes as South Australia, for the fourth month in a row, is the only state to experience export growth.
Food South Australia is the state’s peak body for the food and beverage industry in South Australia. Their mission is to support and sustain the state’s food and beverage industry by helping businesses of all sizes to grow their markets, business capabilities and capacity, and industry connections. Food South Australia is independent, industry-led and membership-based.
“Food South Australia (Food SA) are delighted to see the re-establishment of our long-standing industry-government collaboration through this four-year food and beverage trade development program agreement, paving the way for a stronger future in our sector,” said Mr Ray Borda, Chair, Food South Australia.
“Food SA members and the broader food and beverage industry are winners out of this program announcement, which coordinates the trade development activities of both Food SA and the Department for Trade and Investment. It is a comprehensive program covering domestic and international market development, which continues to support the South Australian Export Strategy, the delivery of business capability development, and celebrates our iconic food and beverage producers through the South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards.
“In addition, through the exciting TradeStart Export Advisory Residency at Food SA, we will be creating even more trade opportunities for food and beverage businesses, with the team also looking forward to continuing to build opportunities for businesses to grow, sustainably.”
The four-year partnership will support a range of initiatives aligned with the South Australian Food and Beverage Five Year Export Strategy, which aims to increase export sales from $2.6 billion in 2021 to just over $3 billion by 2027.
Key initiatives will include:
· Leading food and beverage exporter delegations to major global trade shows in priority markets such as Southeast Asia and the United States.
· Coordinating familiarisation visits to South Australia by leading international food and beverage importers.
· Supporting Food SA member companies to attend key domestic industry events such as Fine Food Australia.
· Delivering enhanced export advisory services to Food SA member companies through DTI’s TradeStart Adviser network.
· Showcasing industry excellence through the South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards Program.
"I am pleased that Food South Australia and DTI are working in partnership to support the growth of local family businesses like ours in domestic and international markets,” said Sam Tucker, Owner/Managing Director, Tucker’s Natural. “As a member of the South Australia Food and Beverage Export Strategy steering group I have contributed to an industry led strategy for South Australian trade development.
“Tucker’s Natural have previously sold our award-winning crackers in the high value USA specialty and natural food markets, with access gained through our industry partnerships with Food South Australia and DTI. We look forward to achieving this again through this exciting program. In South Australia, we need to be work together to access and grow markets around the world.”
Pure Origins Director, Luca Scalzi, said, “At Pure Origins, we are delighted to hear of the recent trade development program agreement between Food South Australia and the Department for Trade and Investment.
“Having both Food South Australia and DTI work together to support us and other businesses gives us the opportunity to continue to grow both our domestic and international export markets. In a constant evolving food and beverage sector, introducing a new range of services and programs to support is vital for our business.
“In the past we have worked closely with both Food SA and DTI to introduce our premium range of Australian honey into the US market with great success. We still see plenty more opportunities to expand into this important international market and others with the support of the trade development program.”
For further information about how the Department for Trade and Investment supports South Australian companies to export, visit www.export.sa.gov.au