- Published:
- Saturday 5 September 2015
A seven-day trade engagement program to Victoria’s two largest food and fibre export markets will focus on growing investment, strengthening trade and reinforcing Victoria’s reputation as a premium supplier.
Led by Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford, the visit to Japan and China will commence tomorrow, starting with three days in Japan – Victoria’s second largest export market worth $761 million in 2013-14.
Ms Pulford will meet with Japan’s largest supermarket chain Aeon, participate in a high-end food service promotion of Victorian lamb and meet with a number of investors including Mitsubishi (KAITEKI Fresh), a recent investor in Victoria’s rapidly growing hydroponic sector.
She will then spend four days in China, meeting with importers, retailers and Chinese government officials, to strengthen important trade relationships in the world’s fastest growing market.
Victorian food and fibre exports to China more than doubled over the last decade with further opportunities expected as demand for imported food and fibre from China’s growing middle class continues to grow.
Whilst in China, Ms Pulford will open the Australian Pavilion at the Beijing Fruit and Vegetable Fair, visit the Victorian Government sponsored Now! In Season promotion of Australian citrus at China’s leading health food store, Mingkanghui, and seize on opportunities from a recent visit to Victoria by leading Chinese e-commerce companies.
China is Victoria’s largest food and fibre export market, accounting for $2.7 billion of exports in 2013-14, including $369 million of dairy, $361 million of meat, $289 million of grains and $233 million of forest products.
Victoria’s $11.4 billion food and fibre sector is a key driver of our state’s economy and jobs, accounting for 48 per cent of our total goods exports.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“As Australia’s largest exporter of premium, high quality food, our agriculture and food and fibre industries are well positioned to seize on more opportunities in high-value export markets like Japan and China.”
“We will take advantage of demand from China’s growing middle class for our clean, fresh and high quality produce. By helping Victorian companies to get a foothold in markets, we will grow exports and create jobs.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is taking the initiative, putting Victoria out there and attracting more investment. With our state’s economy powering ahead, our plans are working and we’ll keep it up.”