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7 April 2026
Western Australian agrifood export eNews
Starting 30 April, this four-part progressive learning program brings together WA producers, exporters, and industry leaders for facilitated, practical conversations on navigating global volatility, choosing the right markets, and building resilient export operations.
Each roundtable builds on the last, so attendees are encouraged to participate in all four sessions.
BREAKFAST 1: “Volatility is the New Normal” (30 April)
Explore how permanent geopolitical and economic instability is reshaping export planning, and how your business can shift from expecting things to stay steady, to planning for whatever comes your way.
Key themes include:
- The end of predictable global trade
- When FTAs don’t translate into actual market access
- Aligning your business with partner-country self‑interest
- Understanding overexposure and geopolitical risk signals
- Technology tools for monitoring global disruptions.
An experienced WA exporter will join the discussion to share their lived experience (speaker announcement coming soon).
Breakfast 2: “Market Selection Without Regret” (25 June)
Considers what makes a market durable, and why size and proximity often mislead exporters. Explore market fit, demand stability, procurement behaviour, and sequencing strategy.
Breakfast 3: “What Breaks First When Producers Go Export-Facing” (20 August)
A practical conversation about systems, compliance, consistency, timing, and cashflow - the real internal constraints that limit export readiness.
Breakfast 4: “Designing Resilience Without Over-Diversifying” (15 October)
Learn how to manage exposure, recognise warning signals, and build a market portfolio that balances focus with resilience.
Led by International Trade Strategist, Collins Rex
Collins is an international trade strategist with more than 30 years’ experience helping governments, industry bodies and SMEs build export capability and navigate complex global markets. Her expertise spans:
- Export readiness
- Market development
- Regulatory and compliance frameworks
- Services and digital trade
- Trade and technology integration.
Collins has designed and delivered export capability programs across Australia and internationally and serves as Chief Judge of the iAwards and Head Judge for APICTA.
How to register to attend?
- Register on Humanitix to secure your spot today as spots are limited.
- To secure a place, $30 per attendee per event is required at the time of registration.
Source and image: DPIRD
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is pleased to invite WA food and beverage businesses to attend the "Meet the Buyer - Singapore" webinar.
This session is designed to support WA exporters to prepare for buyer meetings and refine their market approach ahead of the FHA Singapore in April 2026. With a focus on this strategically important market, the webinar will provide practical, high-level guidance to assist businesses to maximise their impact during discussions with buyers.
Delivered by Export Connect, this webinar is tailored specifically for WA food and beverage businesses and will draw on the expertise of in-market specialists who will provide actionable insights into the Singapore market.
Key topics include:
Singapore market overview
- Economic and demographic landscape
- Consumer and societal trends
- Channel trends across retail, foodservice and e-commerce
- Cultural considerations for doing business and buyer etiquette.
Market entry and commercial considerations
- Common buyer expectations and how to prepare for meetings
- Top line essentials for preparing your pitch deck.
Live Q&A with in-market experts
Date and time
- Thursday 9 April, 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon AWST
- Register now
This online webinar is free to attend. The webinar link will be delivered closer to the event date. There will also be a pre-departure briefing for those travelling to FHA 2026.
Source and image: DPIRD
Australia and the European Union have concluded negotiations to finalise a new Wine Agreement that promises to cut red tape, improve market access, and reduce costs for Australian winemakers exporting to Europe.
The proposed Australia–EU Wine Agreement builds on existing trade arrangements by simplifying certification requirements and modernising export processes. This includes:
- Fewer testing requirements
- Electronic documentation and
- The ability for producers to self-authorise certifications.
The changes are expected to make exporting wine to the EU easier and less expensive for Australian producers.
As part of the Agreement, protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) was addressed. Australia has agreed to protect 50 new EU GIs and amend 113 existing EU GIs, whilst 7 new Australian GIs are to be protected in the EU.
Australia will continue to recognise and use ‘Prosecco’ as the name of a grape variety and will protect the EU GI, ‘Prosecco'. Whilst Australian winemakers will be able to continue using the term ‘Prosecco’ on wine sold domestically, the export of wine labelled as 'Prosecco' will be prevented 10 years from entry into force of the Wine Agreement. The Wine Agreement also safeguards the continued use of grape variety names even if they become EU GIs in the future.
The Wine Agreement is still subject to domestic treatymaking processes and final approval by the Governor General in the Federal Executive Council. Entry into force will take place alongside the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.
More information on the proposed new Wine Agreement can be found on the DAFF website.
Source: DAFF | Image: DPIRD
The Processed Oat Partnership (POP) is offering up to ten $4,500 AUD (exclusive of GST) bursaries as part of a POP International Study Tour – assisting WA oat industry stakeholders to travel to Chile, South America, to attend the 2026 International Oat Conference (OAT2026) and participate in any additional pre- or post-conference oat-focused side events arranged by Grain Industry Association of Western Australia.
The international study tour will centre around OAT2026 in Pucón, Chile, from 17 to 22 November 2026. A strong WA contingent including growers, researchers, plant breeders, accumulators, traders, processors, and manufacturers is expected to attend OAT2026.
Please complete an Expression of Interest via this link and submit before Friday 10 April 2026. A POP-appointed Selection Panel will review submissions and acceptances will be confirmed during April 2026.
To learn more, please read the Guidelines.
Source and image: GIWA
Japan is a cornerstone of the Australian red meat industry, reaching over $3 billion worth of export value last year and remaining Australia’s third largest market.
Despite export volumes to Japan plateauing in recent years, export value continues to rise due to consumer preference towards red meat and Australia’s well established market position.
In the latest episode of the 'On the Ground' podcast, Travis Brown, MLA Regional Manager – Japan and Korea, provided insights into the macro-economic and consumer trends in Japan.
Travis highlighted the effectiveness of long-term relationships with consumers and acknowledged the combined efforts of industry in driving consumer sentiment.
“Japanese consumers believe Aussie red meat comes from a safe and trusted production system. Not only that though – they recognise the absolute quality of the product,” he said.
However, the consistent devaluation of the Yen and inflation outpacing real wage growth is creating challenges in the market.
“For consumers, the cost of living is a major concern and tends to dominate the press in Japan on a daily basis.”
Despite this, Travis said he remains confident about the market outlook as MLA intends to capitalise off existing positive perceptions of Aussie Beef and Lamb.
Travis and his team are actively working on a variety of different programs to expand the reach of Australian red meat within the Japanese market. This includes a push to make Father’s Day a national beef-eating occasion.
For sheepmeat, MLA intends to expand the existing market in Japan’s northern region, Hokkaido, and appeal to increasingly interested younger consumers in Tokyo and Osaka.
Source: MLA | Image: DPIRD
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.
