Do you work in WA’s agrifood and beverage industry – either as a producer, exporter, scientist, consultant or in government?  Are you interested in future global trends for food? If so don’t miss the Future of Food Conference on 23 to 24 September 2021, brought to you by Southern Dirt and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

You’ll hear from forward-thinking experts on what consumers want right now and what trends are emerging that the food industry needs to start planning for. 

Highlights include a presentation by Mike Lee, Co-Founder of Alpha Labs in New York, who will share his insights on the three demands of the 21st century consumer – health, sustainability, and experience.  John Foss, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fancy Plants and The Chia Co will also share his journey on how he grew a small Australian start-up into the world’s largest chia producer.

The second day will include workshops on Business Strategy and Planning, Maximising Your Value or Brand Design and Strategy.

For information, visit Future of Food Conference – September 2021.

To purchase tickets, visit Future of Food Conference - tickets.

Source and Image:  Future of Food

You’re invited to join the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) Industry Briefing webinar event to hear the latest airfreight / export news on Wednesday 11 August 2021 from 11 am to 12 pm (AWST).

Speakers will include Australian Government Freight Controller, Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Staib, and International Freight Coordinator General, Michael Byrne, who will deliver an IFAM update on supply chain issues, pricing, flight developments and routes.

You will also hear an update on Austrade’s Agribusiness Expansion Initiative (ABEI) delivered by Jay Meek, General Manager, ABEI and Client Services.

Join the discussion and ask questions on how to adapt your supply chains and better prepare your business to continue operations under the changing freight environment.

With a Western Australian industry focus, this event is essential for exporters, producers and other stakeholders using IFAM, or interested in accessing it or understanding more. 

To register, please email freightbriefing@austrade.gov.au.

The latest IFAM outbound and inbound flights are available on the IFAM website. Exporters should speak to their freight forwarder and visit the IFAM website for further assistance.  For more information, please email Austrade State Director WA, Jane Caforio, at jane.caforio@austrade.gov.au, or DPIRD's International Airfreight Coordinator, Terry Burnage, at terry.burnage@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Source:  IFAM / DPIRD  |  Photo:  IFAM

Western Australian agrifood exporters are being encouraged to take part in the Australian Food and Beverage Showcase 2021, which allows Australian companies to virtually showcase products into the Japanese market.  The initiative was designed by Austrade Japan as an alternative to the annual FoodEx Japan convention, an international food and beverage exhibition supporting the development of business partnerships between Australian producers and international buyers.

This year, food and beverage exporters and buyers have been able to achieve their goals without needing to meet face-to-face.  The Showcase platform, which was operated throughout March 2021, provided more than 100 exporters with the opportunity to showcase their products to over 1,700 importers, wholesalers and buyers in Japan's food and beverage value chain.

Exporters manage their showcase listing virtually, with the ability to edit business details, add images of products, and update price lists online.  The Showcase was relaunched on 1 July, and currently features over 400 premium new-to-market products from 116 Australian exporters.

As part of the Australian Government’s Agribusiness Expansion Initiative (ABEI), which provides $72.7 million in market access support services for more than 2,000 agribusiness exporters, the Showcase will continue to operate until 31 December 2021.  This is hoped to continue facilitating two-way Australia-Japan trade and to provide opportunities for exporters to assess product feasibility and build brand presence in a new market.

Australian exporters with an interest in assessing the appeal of their product in Japan are encouraged to contact Austrade directly, or through their Trade Start representative, to submit an Expression of Interest.  Source:  Austrade  |  Photo:  Fremantle Octopus [Western Australian exporter Fremantle Octopus is exhibiting on the Australian Food and Beverage Showcase.]

Applications for the Western Australian Exports Awards are closing this Sunday 8 August 2021. The awards seek to recognise Australian exporters who have achieved sustainable growth, and the contributions they have made to the economy.

WA businesses can enter 13 different award categories, including agribusiness, food and beverages; advanced technologies; international education and training; minerals, energy and related services; manufacturing and advanced materials; regional exporter; and small business.  All WA businesses that earn foreign exchange are eligible to enter.

Application information can be found on the Australian Export and Investment Awards website.  The Awards are coordinated by Invest and Trade Western Australia and managed by its program partner, the Export Council of Australia.  Source:  WA Export Awards  |  Photo: JTSI

Australian agrifood products have face increased competition in the Philippines from other foreign producers, Austrade reports in its latest ASEAN market update. Specific opportunities include healthier food options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and plant-based products.

Opportunities also include premium and imported food items like meat, wine, dairy and baking ingredients.  Meanwhile importers say animal feeds continue to be in high demand, particularly by the hog and poultry industries.

For further information, please contact Christopher Lim at Austrade in Manila. Source:  Austrade  |  Photo:  iStock [Manila, Philippines]

The World Economic Forecast published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts financial conditions that are "generally supportive" of global economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.  The global economy is expected to grow 6% during 2021 and 4.9% during 2022, as projected by the IMF's July 2021 Forecast, released last week.

The IMF says inflation is expected to return to its pre-pandemic ranges in 2022, although food prices are anticipated to remain high in emerging economies.  The anticipated economic growth is expected to conform to a harsh divide between advanced and emerging economies, with vaccine access identified as the primary fault line between stabilising and non-stabilising economies.

However, emerging markets and developing economies are expected to experience 6.3% of economic growth in 2021, and 5.2% growth in 2022.  A slow international vaccine rollout is a major potential obstacle to achieving global economic growth. Other risks include social unrest, economic aftershocks, climate change-related natural disasters, and further mutations of the COVID-19 virus.

Therefore, the IMF recommends that multilateral action must be taken to ensure an equitable deployment of the vaccine and provide support to financially constrained regions, particularly in emerging economies.  The IMF is also advising nations to take domestic action balancing the mitigation of the COVID-19 with fiscal, monetary and financial sector policies that support economic stabilisation.  |  Related:  Video – IMF World Economic Outlook Update, July 2021  |  Source and Graphic:  IMF