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20 May 2025
Western Australian
agrifood export eNews
DPIRD is supporting WA early entrepreneurs with places in Curtin Ignition 2025.
Do you have an innovative idea in the agrifood realm? Do you need support in getting this idea off the ground? Curtin Ignition could be space to help you bring this to life!
DPIRD is excited to be supporting WA entrepreneurs and innovators with packages to participate in Curtin Ignition 2025.
Valued at over $3,000, each support package is open to WA students, individuals or businesses with an innovative idea that relates to our agrifood, fibre, fisheries, and forestry industries.
Curtin Ignition is an ideal platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators to develop and trial business ideas.
To apply or to attend the information session, go to the Go to the Curtin Ignition website
Apply before 5 pm on Friday 6 June 2025.
Source DPIRD | Image Curtin Ignition
Last month, the Cook government announced the launch of the Western Australian Export Awards in its 37th year of celebration.
The awards program recognises the achievements of local businesses that are successfully competing in global markets across fourteen categories.
WA agribusiness exporters are encouraged to submit their applications and showcase their international performance. Entering the awards provides businesses with opportunities to:
- Refine business strategy: The application process provides a structured opportunity to assess business performance and export strategies.
- Enhance business credibility: Gain industry recognition and strengthen your reputation in international markets.
- Increase exposure: Benefit from media coverage and public recognition as a leading WA exporter.
- Celebrate achievements: Acknowledge the efforts of your team and highlight your organisation’s contributions to the State’s economy.
- Qualify for national recognition: WA winners automatically progress as finalists in the Australian Export Awards, where they compete at a national level.
See application details including the eligibility criteria and key dates at wa.gov.au | WA Export Awards:
Questions? Contact exportawards@jtsi.wa.gov.au for assistance.
Applications close Friday 13 June 2025
Source and Image: Department of Jobs Tourism Science and Innovation
Austrade's Go Global webinar series continues - Western Australian exporters are encouraged to attend.
Austrade’s General Manager for Trade, Jay Meek is hosting an export masterclass for businesses looking to export to the US and other markets.
Join international logistics and supply chain expert Michael Byrne AM for his insights into how the US tariffs are impacting global trade, freight and logistics.
Key topics:
- How the US tariffs are impacting global trade
- Flow on effects of the US tariffs on freight and logistics
- Advice for Australian exporters.
Register to attend on 22 May 2025, 1 pm to 1:45 pm (AWST).
Next week:
Jay Meek and industry experts are providing a briefing on the importance of export contracts and Incoterms® when navigating US tariffs.
Key topics:
- Overview and importance of export contracts
- How Incoterms® relate to contracts
- Insights and considerations in response to US tariffs.
Register here to attend on 29 May 2025, 10 am to 10:45 am (AWST).
Source and Image: Austrade
Round 5 of Aus4Innovation Partnership Grants Launched
The CSIRO has announced the fifth round of the Aus4Innovation Partnership Grants, earmarking another $2 million for high-tech solutions to tackle climate change in Vietnam’s agri-sector. This round focuses on harnessing innovative technologies to mitigate the impacts of climate change in agriculture. It aligns with the broader Aus4Innovation objective of supporting the inclusive and sustainable development of Vietnam’s innovation system.
Grants ranging from $300,000 to $700,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an Australian entity collaborating with a Vietnamese partner through an established and ongoing partnership
- Have an existing innovation idea with a clear pathway to scale, impact and sustainability
- Address an innovation need in Vietnam
- Comply with Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy
- Contribute to the overarching objectives of Aus4Innovation.
Submit your expressions of interest before 12 midnight, 24 June 2025 (AEST)
Source: AUS4INNOVATION | Image CSIRO
Funding secured for Katanning sheep processor
A major sheep processing plant in Katanning has been given a $12 million loan to expand and upgrade its facility through the Cook Government's Co-operative Companies Loan Scheme.
The three-year loan will fund capital works to enable the farmer-owned Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative (WAMMCO) to expand its lamb and sheep meat processing capacity.
In addition to expanding the processing facility, other improvements will include a new high-tech freezing unit and the construction of additional staff accommodation.
The new loan is in addition to a previous $12 million loan provided in 2024 for Stage 1 of the Katanning upgrades for a new chain and container park.
WAMMCO's Katanning plant is currently the only major producer-owned co-operative meat processing and marketing company in Australia, with more than 700 farmer members across WA's agricultural regions.
More than $151 million in loans have been provided to Western Australian co-operatives for capital purchases since the Co-operative Companies Loan Scheme began in 2005.
The scheme provides tax benefits that reduce the capital costs by around 30 per cent to co-operatives owned by WA farmers and fishers.
Source: WA Gov | Image WAMMCO
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), 2024.
