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26 September 2023
Western Australian agrifood export eNews
The Western Australian Government is helping the state's avocado industry flourish through an exciting new export opportunity.
More than 8 tonnes of Hass avocados from our South West region have now been airfreighted to Bangkok, ready to be distributed to retailers, hotels and restaurants. The first shipment of WA avocados to Thailand was given the green light early last week.
There is growing demand for our premium avocados in Asia, with export markets already established in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, while back home the fruit remains a household favourite.
The WA Government has worked closely with industry to break into the Thai market through international trade missions and exhibitions, alongside the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The Government also continues to support important WA research to improve fruit quality as well as strict measures to maintain the state's enviable biosecurity status, which allows us to export fruit to destinations others can't.
Avocados are one of WA's best-selling fruits, with the industry currently valued at $106.9 million and growth projected to increase to more than 50,000 tonnes per annum over the next two years. More...
Source: WA Minister for Agriculture and Food | Photo: DPIRD [L-R: Nathalie Brooks, Manager, Primary Industries Trade, DPIRD; Josh Franceschi, General Manager, The Avocado Collective; and Liam O’Connell, Executive Director, Agribusiness Food and Trade, DPIRD.]
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Rural Women’s Awards, which showcase the leadership and drive of rural and regional women across Australia.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Director General Heather Brayford said inspirational women living and working in regional and rural Western Australia were encouraged to nominate for the State award.
"The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award aims to empower and celebrate the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia's rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities," Ms Brayford said.
“I encourage Western Australian women who are passionate about their work and communities and want to build their skills and networks to consider this fantastic award.”
The State winner receives a $15,000 bursary to support their project, business or program which benefits the rural community, and goes on to compete for the national title.
Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award close on 25 October 2023. For information about applying, contact DPIRD Core Programs Manager Rob Leicester at rob.leicester@dpird.wa.gov.au or 0419 921 056. More awards information is available from the AgriFutures website. More...
Source and Photo: DPIRD [Bunbury businesswoman and social worker Michelle Moriarty is the 2023 WA Rural Women’s Award recipient.]
The 12th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster (and Crab) Biology workshop will be held from 22 to 27 October 2023 at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, Western Australia. The theme for the event is ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Hosted by the Western Rock Lobster Council, Australia’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the conference will welcome presentations on all aspects of lobster and crab research, biology, management, and aquaculture.
The western rock lobster fishery is the largest single species fishery in Australia with a value of over $450 million annually, and a long history of internationally recognised research, management, and compliance. In 2000, this fishery was the first in the world to receive Marine Stewardship Council accreditation.
One of the concurrent sessions on 23 to 24 October of the conference is a workshop ‘Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) of lobster and crab fisheries’. This is sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Co-operative Research Program: Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems https://www.oecd.org/agriculture/crp/
On Thursday 26 October there is an Industry Day program. The full draft program is available online. Up to 200 participants from over 20 countries are expected to attend the conference, so register now.
For further information, please email Dr Nick Caputi, DPIRD Senior Principal Research Scientist, at Nick.Caputi@dpird.wa.gov.au. For sponsorship and advertising enquiries, please contact the Sponsorship and Exhibition Manager at icwl2023@arinex.com.au. More...
Source: ICWL | Photo: DPIRD [Western rock lobster]
Wine Australia has published an Emissions Reduction Roadmap – an output from the Wine Australia ESG Investment Plan – a guide for the sector to significantly reduce its carbon emissions by 2030. A large share of current emissions come from packaging and, in its latest Market Bulletin, Wine Australia has reviewed the most recent trends in packaging, considering environmental and economic forces, as well as consumer preferences.
There are two packaging-related initiatives identified in the Roadmap to reduce emissions: transitioning to lightweight bottles (a reduction of 759,545 tonnes of CO2-e) and lower energy glass production (a reduction of 301,823 tonnes of CO2-e). The need to produce wine packaging more sustainably opens up opportunities for more innovative design as well. A key concern is maintaining wine quality whilst reducing the environmental impact of packaging production practices.
The transition to lighter bottles is not exclusively driven by environmental concerns, but includes factors such as reduced bottle costs and reduced transport costs. The evolution of traditional wine packaging coincides with the rising average cost of glass. Not only this, but the shifting preferences and tastes of consumers, guided by the consumer health and wellness movements, have prompted alternative packaging strategies.
Australian exports of wine in bulk have increased in volume by 1% on average per annum. The exporters' approach of shipping in alternative forms of packaging, such as bulk containers, is driven by both economic and environmental factors. Shipping in bulk containers means a company can ship more wine, with less weight and lower costs. This allows Australian exporters to harness the increased demand for bulk wine exports by capitalising on low cost, and more sustainable packaging choices.
Wines of Western Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Jorgensen said developing a product stewardship/circularity program for wine packaging is an important issue for the industry. "How glass packaging can be most efficiently and cost-effectively collected for re-use is critical for WA producers who make premium wine better suited to glass packaging," he said. More...
Source: Wine Australia / Wines of WA | Wine Australia
The biennial Western Australian Horticulture Update event is back again, bringing all areas of horticulture together to grow connections and build knowledge on the changing landscape of horticultural production.
Taking place Tuesday 31 October to Wednesday 1 November at Ascot Racecourse, the theme for this year’s event is Practical technology innovation and application to improve horticultural practices from grower to consumer.
This is a chance to connect with growers, industry and trade representatives and researchers on the latest news and developments in this dynamic sector of the WA agricultural industry. The conference offers a valuable opportunity for participants to take time out of their busy schedules to find out more about innovative technology, addressing challenges and opportunities facing our industry now and, in the future.
Presenters include Mike Lee, Principal Futurist, the Future Market; Dr Roger Lawes, CSIRO farming systems scientist and team leader for Digital Decisions; Sam Bailey, farmer, pilot and best-selling author; and Liz Brennan, a dynamic leader in Australia’s agricultural sector.
Earlybird tickets are now on sale. For further information, please contact Tina Buckley on 08 9777 0162, or email tina.buckley@dpird.wa.gov.au. More...
Source and Image: DPIRD
The Western Australian Branch Committee of The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) is hosting a face-to-face half-day Food for Thought Workshop at Curtin University, Building 500, on Wednesday 8 November 2023 commencing at 1 pm.
The workshop is a major food industry professional event, to inform stakeholders on the latest developments impacting on the food industry, and includes six speakers, featuring interstate and local experts representing the following industry sectors and disciplines.
The workshops are designed to attract the attention of interested people who have a stake holding within the food industry and bring them together to help develop their learnings and gain further insight about the topics.
Most importantly, the value of attending the workshops is derived from networking – it's seeing value in that the AIFST Workshop provides fertile ground for learning, development, discussion and a potential for problem solving by liaising with like-minded professionals.
Registration and further details of the event can be found on the AIFST website. More...
Source and Graphic: AIFST
A new World Trade Organisation (WTO) book on trade and gender, published on 14 September, assesses the pathways towards bolstering women’s participation in international trade and highlights how women’s economic empowerment can support trade growth and broader economic development.
Launched at the recent WTO Public Forum, Making trade work for women: key findings from the World Trade Congress on Gender brings together the latest research on the role of trade policy in improving gender equality. Highlighting gender-relevant measures incorporated in governments' trade policies, the publication covers topics such as the experiences of women entrepreneurs, gender provisions in trade agreements, the gender wage gap, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women's trade capacities, and the opportunities of digitalisation.
To ensure that trade policy is more responsive to gender issues, women need to be supported in overcoming barriers to participation in trade, in turn improving inclusiveness and aiding sustainable growth. This is a present and relevant issue across developed and developing economics alike. WTO Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard said, “Trade must work for women and support their integration into the trade marketplace because when women do better, societies and economies do better.” All countries stand to benefit holistically from improved integration and inclusiveness of women into their economic and trade systems. More...
Source and Photo: WTO [The launch of the book on trade and gender at the WTO Public Forum in Geneva.]
Further information
Agribusiness, commercial fishing and aquaculture news from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). If you have any questions or information to share, please email export@dpird.wa.gov.au.
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Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.
Copyright © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2023.
