South Australia’s food and beverage companies on show at SIAL China

Thirty South Australian food and beverage brands were in China last week with the support of the Department for Trade and Investment, to participate in Asia’s largest food and beverage show, SIAL China.

The South Australian companies, spanning the wine, meat, seafood, dairy, vegetables and fruit sectors, were amongst 5,000 exhibitors showcasing their products to more than 180,000 professionals in attendance across the two days, from more than 110 countries.

Attendance at SIAL China for South Australian wineries formed part of the South Australian Wine Exporter China Re-engagement Support Package, a $1.85 million South Australian Government program supporting wine producers to re-enter the Chinese market following the removal of tariffs.

The Department for Trade and Investment hosted a dedicated South Australian Food and Beverage Showcase and Reception for SIAL 2024 in Shanghai to explore business opportunities and provided the chance to connect with key Chinese buyers and sub-distributors, wine buyers, undertake business matching, tasting experiences and other forms of promotion.

The companies were supported in-market by the South Australian Government’s China team, based in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

“SIAL China offers the opportunity for Stehr Group to showcase our products to thousands of quality potential buyers, importers and distributors in one place and is an important market for our company,” said Tony Fan, China representative, Stehr Group. “The support by the South Australian Government provided in-market, on-the-ground, is invaluable in providing business matching opportunities, collaboration and potential partners.”

SIAL China first took place in 2000 and, during its 24 years in operation, has served more than 40,000 exhibitors and one million food and beverage professionals from more than 100 countries and regions globally.

In 2025, the South Australian Government will coordinate attendance at SIAL China in partnership with Food SA to provide South Australian companies with further in-market support.

“We are excited to support the South Australian food and beverage manufacturers exhibiting at SIAL China this year,” said Darren Curnow, Market Development Manager, Food South Australia. “It is an important time to be in China, Australia’s largest export market, to reconnect and re-establish relationships with the aim of increasing South Australia’s exports by bringing our premium quality food and beverages to the attention of Asian buyers.

“We look forward to working closely with the Department for Trade and Investment to further support our food and beverage manufacturers at SIAL in 2025.”

Food South Australia is the state’s peak body for the food and beverage industry in South Australia.

For further information about upcoming events supported by the South Australian Government, visit https://connectplus.sa.gov.au/business-missions