There's just over three weeks to go before the inaugural Future of Food Conference in Mandurah, Western Australia, and virtually, brought to you by Southern Dirt and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

It’s a must-attend event for WA agrifood exporters, with national and international food industry leaders giving their thoughts on current and future food trends across the globe.

Tickets range from $55 for the workshops to $550 for the full two-day conference. If you are booking for a group of 10 or more people, please contact futureoffood@southerndirt.com.au for a direct booking form and group discount.  Source and Image:  DPIRD

From 1 September 2021, the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) is now supporting a block on the Qantas flight from Melbourne to Bangkok via Perth every Wednesday.  For more information, including freight rates, download the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound.

Exporters should speak to their freight forwarder and visit the IFAM website for further assistance.  Alternatively, email Austrade at airfreight@austrade.gov.au, or the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's International Airfreight Coordinator, Terry Burnage, at terry.burnage@dpird.wa.gov.au. Source:  IFAM / DPIRD  |  Photo: Austrade

The e-commerce market in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region has quadrupled from US$5.5 billion of gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2015 to US$23 billion of GMV in 2018.  The Australian Government's Entrepreneurs’ Programme invites Western Australian businesses to attend two interactive online sessions – on 14 and 16 September 2021 – aimed at assisting food and agribusinesses make informed decisions on using e-commerce channels to capitalise on this growing demand from Asian consumers.  

At this workshop you will:

• Learn how to tap into the world’s largest e-commerce market and access Asia’s rapidly expanding middle-class consumer base.
• Gain a detailed overview of e-commerce platforms and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in a variety of Asian markets, with a key focus on ASEAN and India.
• Understand supply chain models required for an e-commerce strategy.
• Consider cultural needs for marketing, social media and building your brand in an Asian context.

Register now for this free event.  Source:  Entrepreneurs’ Programme  |  Photo:  Christin Hume / Unsplash

Australian plant-based food exporters will have more flexibility to market their products in the European Union (EU), following the European Commission withdrawing an amendment prohibiting plant-based food companies from using dairy-related wording in their marketing.

In May 2021, the European Parliament withdrew Amendment 171, which effectively banned dairy-related wording such as “buttery” and “creamy” for plant-based substitutes. 

This now means Australian exporters can use similar packaging formats, visual images that could evoke dairy, dairy-related descriptive wording, science-based claims comparing products to their dairy counterparts, and allergen information that relates them to dairy.

For more information, see this Insights page on the Austrade website.  Source:  Austrade  |  Photo:  Unsplash / Guillaume Périgois

Asialink Business in collaboration with Toll Group is launching a new report on the future of regional supply chains.  The launch – on 15 September 2021 at 11 am AWST – will feature remarks from: Tarandeep Singh Ahuja, Chair of the Asialink Business Advisory Council and Partner, McKinsey and Company; and Thomas Knudsen, Managing Director, Toll Group.

The report draws on original research, survey data, industry consultations and expert insights to unpack the key trends affecting supply chains in Asia and their implications for business and government.  Registration is required for this free event.  Photo:  Kinsey / Unsplash

Australian exports have performed strongly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Austrade reports in economic analysis released in August.  Most of our principal goods-export partners are in Asia and these economies have weathered the storm comparatively well – so far.

Economic strength in the Asia region is the principal reason why Australia’s resources, energy and agriculture exports have kept growing.  Austrade says demand for our agrifoods has also been strong.  Australian produce commands premium prices, with a reputation for high agricultural standards and a well-regulated food industry. In many cases, demand for Australian clean, green produce has increased as consumers in Asia seek healthy foodstuffs. 

Western Australia's agrifood exports in 2020-21 were valued at $8 billion, with the top three being wheat $2.7 billion, barley $994 million and canola seeds $890 million.  More...  Source:  Austrade / Kate Pritchett, DPIRD |  Photo:  DPIRD