Compromised airfreight availability during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to innovation through experimentation for the Australian avocado industry. 

Whilst using International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) flights to maintain supply chains to existing customers and continue operations, growers in Western Australia and Queensland began conducting trials with sea freight and ship refrigerated containers carrying avocados to markets in South East Asia and Japan.  And it’s certainly a move in the ripe direction!  The success has been huge, with avocados arriving in pristine condition, despite the 20-to-30-day journey.

With Avocados Australia predicting national production to increase by 60 per cent over the next nine months, the trials have now opened the door for many first-time exporters to ship their product overseas to expand beyond the Australian market.

Read more about how rethinking their “Avo-cargo” resulted in a bumper season ahead.  Source:  Austrade  |  Photo:  The Avocado Collective

The Western Australian Government, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Perth, Australian India Business Council, Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and Perth USAsia Centre, will host India Connect 2021 on 1 October 2021 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

India Connect is designed to deepen WA-India relations, providing a platform for meaningful discussion on investment and trade opportunities and complementary capabilities between the two regions.

The event will include a number of ‘Sector Connect’ sessions which will deep dive into areas of shared strategic economic importance, including the Primary Industries Connect Session focusing on the food and beverage sector and how it can benefit from traditional and emerging channels to market.

Registrations for the event are now open.  Register to attend at India Connect 2021.  Source and Image:  Invest and Trade Western Australia / JTSI

After early export success following its foundation in 2016, Western Australian company Honey in the Garden is looking towards expanding to Middle Eastern and United Kingdom markets.

Based in Bayswater, the company currently exports to Singapore and Japan, and stocks 74 outlets across Victoria and WA.  The locally-based business stocks a broad range of monoflora raw honeys and other products including soaps, pollen and dressings.  It produces pure and natural honeys to provide to consumers, while stressing the importance of sustainable farming and responsible beekeeping practices.

In 2020-21 WA exported a total of $7.3 million of honey to 22 destinations.  Japan was WA’s largest market accounting for $2.4 million (33% of the total), Singapore accounted for $882,000 (12%), the UK $4,900 and the Middle East as a region accounted for $489,700.  Source: Honey in the Garden / Kate Pritchett, DPIRD |  Photo:  Honey in the Garden 

The annual 2021 Grain Industry of Western Australia (GIWA) Forum and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will both be held early next month for all GIWA members and interested stakeholders.

The AGM will be held on 6 October 2021 in the River View Room, Optus Stadium, from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. This will be followed by the 2021 GIWA Forum, titled ‘Sustainability the New Global Market Driver: What does that mean for the Australian grain industry?’ The forum will include presentations, a panel discussion, and a sundowner.

The AGM is free for all GIWA members to attend. The forum is open to others, with pricing information available on the GIWA website.

Registration for both in-person and virtual attendance must be made by 29 September.  For more information, please contact the GIWA office on 08 6262 2128 or email admin@giwa.org.au.  Source and Photo / Graphic:  GIWA / DPIRD

In collaboration with organisations from across the Australian grains supply chain, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is producing monthly virtual crop inspection videos.

These videos – which are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and Vietnamese subtitles – add value to customers of Australian grain intentionally by tracking the development of Australia’s crops and show our supply chains in action.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted international travel, these updates will provide some insight into how our crops are progressing and keep you connected with AEGIC and the Australian grains industry.  Source and Photo:  AEGIC

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking submissions from businesses and other interested stakeholders on the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) to inform work on a General Review under Article 21.7 of the Agreement.

In particular, DFAT is keen to determine the impacts of MAFTA on businesses or other groups in the community since the Agreement entered into force on 1 January 2013.  DFAT is looking to understand how opportunities in Malaysia for Australian businesses may have grown and/or changed under MAFTA. 

Submissions are requested by 30 September 2021 by emailing Malaysia.FTA@dfat.gov.au.  More...  Source and Image:  DFAT