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7 July 2026
Western Australian agrifood export eNews
The second event in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)'s 2026 Export Roundtable Breakfast Series brought together Western Australian agribusinesses in Perth last week to discuss the opportunities and challenges of exporting in today's dynamic global marketplace.
The session welcomed businesses at various stages of their export journey, from established exporters to those considering international markets for the first time. A key focus of the discussion was market selection and the importance of taking a strategic approach to identifying opportunities for long-term export success.
Guest speaker Evy Yeo from KB Seafood Company shared valuable insights from the company's export experience, highlighting the importance of understanding market dynamics, building resilience, and remaining adaptable as global trade conditions continue to evolve.
The discussion reinforced that successful exporting requires balancing opportunity with risk while considering factors such as customer demand, market access, supply chain requirements, and long-term sustainability.
DPIRD's Export Roundtable Breakfast Series continues to provide a valuable forum for Western Australian exporters to connect, share experiences, and gain practical insights from industry leaders.
The conversation will continue at the next breakfast event in August.
The Roundtable Breakfast on 20 August 2026 is now fully booked. New registrations will automatically be placed on a waitlist, and registrants will be notified if any places become available.
Source and image: DPIRD
WA agricultural businesses are encouraged to register their interest in the WA Government-led business mission to Vietnam in late September 2026.
As one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies and an important trading partner for Western Australia, Vietnam offers significant opportunities for WA businesses to diversify export markets and build new commercial partnerships.
The WA Government-led mission will provide a tailored program of industry and government engagements, helping participants showcase WA's premium agricultural products, strengthen existing relationships, and explore new market opportunities.
Please register your interest by 12 July 2026 to be considered via the ITWA website.
For more information, or any questions, please contact the ITWA Trade Promotion team via ROI.ITWA@deed.wa.gov.au.
Source and image: Department of Energy and Economic Diversification
Additional testing of the previously reported migratory giant petrel found in the Whitfords - Mullaloo beach area has determined the case is a ‘presumed positive’ detection of the serious H5 bird flu strain.
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed the petrel had an influenza virus of the H5 subtype.
The case has been classified as a presumed positive because viral sequencing to confirm the virus as H5 bird flu was not able to be achieved.
The inability to obtain a sequence may be due to a range of factors, including the level of decomposition of the carcass.
This presumed positive case adds to the six confirmed positive detections of H5 bird flu nationally, including four in WA on the southern and south west coasts, one in South Australia and one in New South Wales.
Importantly, there is no evidence the virus has spread beyond these individual migratory seabirds, but we ask the community to be alert and follow advice about reporting sick or dead wildlife.
People should AVOID and not handle the animals, RECORD and take photos or a video and REPORT to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888.
More information is available on the Australian Government's Bird flu (avian influenza) website.
Background: Confirmed WA detections
- 19 June, Brown skua – South Coast, Cape le Grand area, east of Esperance
- 23 June, Giant petrel – South Coast, Cape le Grand area, east of Esperance
- 27 June, Giant petrel – South West coast, Quindalup
- 30 June, Giant petrel – South Coast, west of Esperance
Source: WA Gov | Image: DAFF
People buying seafood in restaurants, cafes and other hospitality venues must now be told where it comes from, under regulations that come into effect on 1 July.
Country of origin labelling (CoOL) in the hospitality industry follows similar reforms for supermarkets and other retailers.
The decision to introduce CoOL was announced by the Federal Government last year and followed extensive consultation which found strong support from the public and seafood industry.
The aim is to help consumers make informed choices about the seafood dishes they order and how they're spending their money.
The new information standard applies to hospitality venues that sell seafood, including restaurants, cafés, takeaways, clubs, pubs, hotels, market stalls, and food trucks.
It requires these businesses to inform consumers whether the seafood they are serving is (A) Australian, (I) imported or a (M) mix of both.
This is known as the AIM model and must be obvious to the customer before they order. This includes on printed and online menus, menu boards or on a sign within the business.
CoOL must be available for all seafood that's ready to eat as soon as it's served to consumers whether they're dining in, picking it up to take home, or having it delivered.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and State and Territory Australian Consumer Law (ACL) regulators are responsible for enforcing the new food labelling system.
Businesses have had a year to transition to the new labelling system. Those that fail to comply may face penalties under the ACL.
Reports of non-compliance can be made to consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54.
More information can be found at www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/seafood-country-origin-labelling
Source: WA Gov | Image: WA Fishing Industry Council
Updates developed in collaboration with International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Limited (IFCBAA).
Greater China and Northeast Asia
- Qantas will increase the number of flights between Melbourne and Tokyo (Narita) to 11 per week over the peak travel period between December 2026 and March 2027.
Southeast Asia
- Batik Air Malaysia have launched a direct service from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 2 flights per day.
South Asia, Middle East, and Africa
- Virgin and Qatar Airways have delayed resumption of Brisbane-Doha and Perth-Doha combined services until December. They were originally scheduled to resume in September.
Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific
- Texel Air Australasia has signed on to operate charter air cargo services from the soon-to-open Western Sydney Airport (WSI). This is the first charter operator to announce their planned usage of WSI due to its 24-hour airside operations.
- MSC has reinstated the Brisbane port call on the service it operates to Noumea. This service offers 4 sailings per month with a transit time of 3 days.
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.
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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), 2026.
