Western Australian food and beverage manufacturers are invited to attend a full day interactive workshop focused on lean manufacturing, presented by TXM Lean Solutions.

Taking place in Perth from 9 am until 4 pm AWST on 22 July 2021, this free event will include:

• An introduction to key Lean principles and how they apply to the food and beverage industry to overcome barriers to business growth.
• A Lean simulation to allow participants to obtain hands on experience of how Lean principles apply in a simulated manufacturing environment.
• Critical success factors for Lean deployment for SME food manufacturers – including relevant case studies in food manufacturing and agricultural processing.
• A take away 'plan on a page' for Lean improvement in your business developed during the course of the workshop.

Register for Lean Manufacturing here.  Tailored to food and beverage businesses employing from 5 to 1000 staff in production, the workshop is brought to you by Food Industry Innovation and the Food and Beverage Fund at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Source:  DPIRD  |  Photo:  iStock

Due to the large number of enquiries about DPIRD’s Export Pathways Program, the closing date has been extended to 5 pm AWST Monday 21 June 2021.

A new training and mentoring program for WA agribusinesses, the Export Pathways Program provides one-on-one mentoring and group training modules where you will develop information, skills and knowledge to improve your chances of export success.  Hear all your questions answered by your mentor and course provider, Export Connect, a specialist export advisory service.

WA agribusiness participants considering the Export Pathways Program, who are located 85 kilometres or more from the Perth central business district, may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $1,500 (including GST) for travel and accommodation expenses incurred in travelling between home and where the training modules are taking place.

The program is delivered by Export Connect and funded by the Western Australian Government (via DPIRD), with a 50% contribution towards the participation fees.  Source:  DPIRD  |  Photo:  iStock

The Entrepreneurs’ Programme, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and our project partners invite small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to attend a webinar about how eligible businesses can participate in the WA Cold Chain Optimisation for SMEs pilot project.

This a government-funded business growth and capability building initiative, with the aim of improving cold chain practices within perishable goods businesses.

Taking place online from 1 pm to 2.30 pm AWST on 30 June 2021, the webinar will outline the challenges faced in WA and how improved cold chain practices and upskilling of workforces can reduce food loss and wastage, minimise insurance claims, improve food quality and shelf life, and enhance product and brand reputation. 

For more information, please email Terry Burnage, Principal Business Development Manager at DPIRD.  Source:  DPIRD  |  Photo:  Ian Taylor / Unsplash

Wine consumption across the Asian continent represents around a fifth of Australia’s export volume.  As a group, Southeast Asian markets are high-value destinations for Australian wine. In 2020, 68% of the value exported to Southeast Asia was shipped at an average value above $10 per litre.

The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, in partnership with Wine Australia and the Austrade Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia offices, are hosting a Wine Trade Readiness Webinar.

Hear from in-market representatives and experts. You will receive the latest updates on the business landscape in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, and gain insight into how Australian wine businesses can navigate through the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and capitalise on opportunities created by the strategic partnership between Australia and ASEAN. 

The webinar takes place on 7 July 2021 from 11 am to 12.30 pm AWST.  Registrations close on 6 July 2021 at 3 pm AWST.  Source:  FIAL  |  Photo:  Jordon Kaplan / Unsplash

Red meat processing has long been recognised as Western Australia's largest value-added agrifood sector, employing around 10,000 people.  In 2020, WA abattoirs processed 460,000 head of cattle and 4.2 million sheep, with over 7,000 businesses up or down stream making up the supply chain.  It has a long history as an integral part of the WA livestock and food industries. 

The sector has a positive outlook over the short to medium term, with increased economic prosperity in developing global markets, resulting in increased demand for red meat.  However, this outlook is not without its challenges.

This half-day workshop will introduce water service providers to a potential collaboration model to respond to complex problems associated with the management of wastewater from organic processing, with a particular focus on abattoir wastewater.  Speakers will cover both current and future industry challenges, and discuss how partnering with others can offer solutions.

Date           24 June 2021
Time          8.30 to 11.30 am AWST
Location    Technology Park, Bentley

Please register for this event by 17 June 2021.  Source:  DPIRD  |  Photo: iStock

The Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Hon Dan Tehan MP, invites you to attend Part Six of the Global Market Insights series on Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Japan was Australia’s third largest goods and services trading partner in 2019-20.  The enduring nature of our trade relationship with Japan, a mature and competitive market, provides opportunities for Australian businesses across a range of goods and services.  Australian businesses across a range of eligible goods and services exports can enter Japan under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement. 

The Republic of Korea is a significant market for Australian businesses. Underpinned by the Korea Australia Free Trade Agreement, two-way goods and services trade is valued at $38.9 billion in 2019-20.  As an economy, the Republic of Korea has grown rapidly to become the world’s 10th largest in 2020.

This online webinar on 24 June 2021 at 1 pm AWST will include trade experts from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, Export Council of Australia and private sector who will share insights on the opportunities and risks of doing business in Japan and the Republic of Korea.  Source and Graphic:  DFAT 

Australian businesses can now access export help, market insights and advice online to grow overseas and expand into new markets.

Austrade export digital services provide easy to navigate self-service tools to guide you through the process of taking your business overseas.  Whether you are just getting started, ready to choose your first market or already exporting, Austrade has simplified how you access export services, expertise and reliable market data.

You can learn the basics of exporting, assess if you are ready to export, receive advice on how to prepare for global growth and build a list of resources. With more than 3,500 export market profiles you can find, compare and choose the right market for your product.

Register for this Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry workshop on 18 June 2021 at 1 pm AWST to take the next step in your export journey.  WebEx details will be sent a few hours prior to the workshop.  Source:  AACCI  |  Photo:  DPIRD

The quantity of beef imports into Japan is decreasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austrade reports in it latest North East Asia update.  However, according to Meat and Livestock Australia, beef exports ended 2020 on a high note, with Japan eclipsing China as Australia’s largest export destination.

Austrade says demand for take-out and delivery products such as fast-food is expected to increase in Japan.  As a result, the demand for certain types of imported beef is expected to change:

• Demand from supermarkets will remain strong, with a gradual increase.
• Demand for take-out delivery products is likely to increase at a more rapid pace.
• Demand for food services is expected to return towards more normal levels in the latter half of 2021.

Retail sales for chilled and frozen meat are on a slight upward trend thanks to an uptake in e-commerce.  However, Austrade reports that retail is not consuming sufficient volumes to cover the losses in the food service sector.  Industry representatives assess that it will take time to clear the huge meat inventory currently sitting in warehouses.  Source:  Austrade / MLA  Photo:  Tianshu Liu / Unsplash

Global food prices rose in May this year at their fastest monthly rate in more than a decade, even as world cereal production is on course to reach a new record high, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported last Friday.  The FAO Food Price Index averaged 127.1 points in May, 4.8% higher than in April and 39.7% higher than in May 2020.

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased 6% from April, led by international maize prices, which averaged 89.9% above their year-earlier value.  The FAO Dairy Price Index rose by 1.8% in the month, averaging 28% above its level of one year ago.

The FAO Meat Price Index increased by 2.2% from April, with quotations for all meat types rising due to a faster pace of import purchases by China, as well as rising internal demand for poultry and pig meats in the leading producing regions.  More...  Source:  FAO  |  Photo:  Raphael Rychetsky / Unsplash