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26 May 2026
Western Australian
agrifood export eNews
Ready to showcase your products to the buyers that matter?
Meet the Buyer™ is Western Australia’s largest and most diverse food and beverage showcase, bringing the state’s best producers together under one roof. Delivered by Buy West Eat Best, Australia’s longest-running state-of-origin food labelling program, this flagship trade event connects local food and beverage producers with buyers looking for standout products for markets in WA, across Australia and around the globe.
With strong industry demand, expressions of interest are now open to exhibit at the 2026 event.
View media coverage from the 2025 event.
Submit your EOI to secure your place at the 2026 Meet the BuyerTM, taking place on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at Crown Perth.
Source: DPIRD | Image: Buy West Eat Best
Do you have a great idea for an agrifood business or an innovative idea to solve an issue in the WA agricultural industry?
Apply now for a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) support package to participate in Curtin Ignition 2026.
DPIRD is proud to support innovation across Western Australia’s agrifood and primary industries, with funding available for three participants to take part in the 2026 Curtin Ignition program.
Curtin Ignition is an intensive, week-long entrepreneurial experience designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovative researchers and forward-thinking professionals. Running from Saturday 15 August and 17–21 August 2026, the program provides participants with the tools and support to test, refine and commercialise ideas with real market potential.
Whether you're developing an early-stage venture or exploring a bold new concept, Curtin Ignition is ideal for those looking to build high-growth, globally scalable businesses.
Valued at $3,750 (ex. GST), the program offers a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, small group mentoring, expert panels, business clinics and valuable networking opportunities.
Applications from Indigenous, new and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those with limited experience in starting a business, are strongly encouraged.
Applications close at 4:00pm,Thursday 4 June 2026.
Source and image: DPIRD
Updates developed in collaboration with International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Limited (IFCBAA).
Middle East
- Emirates is operating scaled-down daily tracks from Sydney and Melbourne to the Middle East.
- Container ship transits via the Suez Canal and Red Sea reached a 10-week high for the week ending May 17.
- Hapag Lloyd says resuming Suez Canal transits isn’t planned in the near term and will require greater regional stability.
Greater China and Northeast Asia
- Cathay Pacific has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh.
Australia, New Zealand and Pacific
- All Virgin Australia flights departing Brisbane and Perth to Doha are cancelled until 14 September 2026.
- Qantas’ ultra-long-haul Perth to London (QF9) non-stop service is being re-routed to avoid restricted airspace. It now requires an operational fuel stop in Singapore, lengthening total transit times.
Southeast Asia
- Singapore Airlines has cancelled all flights between Singapore and Dubai until 2 August 2026. This will affect Australians transhipping via Changi Airport.
Source: business.gov.au | Image: Supply Chain World magazine
Australian wine producers are seeing renewed momentum in Canada, with new export and sales data along with feedback from importers pointing to a surge in demand for premium, regionally distinctive wines.
In the 12 months to March 2026, Australian wine exports to Canada rose 24 per cent in value to $188 million and 15 per cent in volume to 69 million litres and lifting the number of Australian exporters active in the market to 220 businesses.
While 2025 restrictions on US wine imports reduced the availability of American products across Canadian liquor boards, producers say the strong performance of Australian wine over this period reflects groundwork laid over several years. Sustained engagement with buyers, retailers and sommeliers has strengthened understanding of Australia’s quality, diversity and regional strengths, positioning Australian wine to expand as shelf space became available.
New sales data from EzFocus shows Australian wine increasing in both volume and value across Canada’s four largest provinces.
Growth was recorded across all price segments, including the mid-priced category between $8.00 and $14.99, which has traditionally been a strong segment for Australian wine. Producers also reported increased demand for bottled wines priced above $15.
With strong performance across price points and growing confidence among buyers, producers say Canada remains one of the most attractive export markets for Australian wine in the current global environment.
Source and image: Wine Australia
It’s an exciting time for Australian exporters looking to enter the North American market. Austrade is delivering a webinar on the practicalities of the newly released Austrade North American Retailer Guide as well as an overview of the market.
You’ll learn what you need to know to approach the US and Canadian retail markets with confidence, whether you supply branded or private (own-label) products.
Key topics
- A walk through of the Austrade North American Retailer Guide and Market Overview
- How the US and Canadian markets work and where Australian manufacturers fit
- Latest consumer and retailer trends driving growth in private brand and specialty foods
- Detailed overview of the top 50 leading US and Canadian food retailers
- What matters most to successfully navigate this market.
Who it's for
This webinar is for Australian food, beverage and consumer goods exporters interested in, or already developing, sales in the North American retail market.
Date &Time
- 7:00-8:00am AWST, 11 June 2026
- Book now
Source and image: Go Global Toolkit
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.
Subscribe to Western Australian Agrifood Export eNews.
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), 2026.
