Thirty local businesses that add value to Western Australian produce will be taking their business to the next level, with funding from the third round of the WA Government's successful Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program.

The businesses from the South-West, Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West, Peel, Wheatbelt and the Perth metropolitan area will share in $174,190, matched by recipient contributions.

Recipients include businesses that produce baked goods, beer, wine, specialty foods, manufactured meals, beverages, meats, confectionary, pasta, honey and eggs.

Several of these businesses are currently exporting, or have identified export aspirations in their growth plans.

Vouchers with a combined value of up to $15,000 per business will assist food producers to access professional business support services to help grow and develop their enterprises.

More than 170 WA agrifood and beverage enterprises have benefitted from the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program and the former Expert for a Day pilot program since 2018. More... Source: WA Minister for Agriculture and Food | Photo: DPIRD [Jessica Wilson from Wilson Brewing Company received a Sales and Marketing Voucher.]

Grants of up to $20,000 are available to help Western Australian small businesses and startups from all sectors to access the professional skills and services they need to advance their innovative ideas.

The WA Government recognises that startups and small businesses have great ideas, but that taking these ideas and turning them into new and sustainable business opportunities with real commercial outcomes can be challenging.

The Innovation Booster Grant (previously called the Innovation Vouchers Program), is designed to assist WA-based innovators to overcome some of the barriers on the path to commercialisation.  

Expenditure must fall under one of four categories:

• Research and Development
• Product Development
• Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, or
• Commercialisation Support Services.

Applicants can apply for up to $20,000 each and are required to make a 20% cash co-contribution plus any GST. Applications close 11am AWST on Wednesday 20 April 2022. More... Source and Graphic: JTSI

TradeStart Western Australia, in partnership with Wines of Western Australia and the WA Government, will deliver a WA Meet the Buyer United Kingdom program on 10 May 2022.

If you are a WA winery with 'new-to-the-UK' market brands or, already have an established import distributor and are looking to introduce a new brand to new partners, then you are eligible to participate in this low-cost program.

The program is almost entirely funded. All you need to contribute is one case of your export-ready, mixed wines, including a hero varietal from your region, plus a small contribution to ship your wine to London.

Producers are required to have relevant product information, high-quality photos and/or video, plus completed tasting notes for selected varietals ready to submit.

This program represents a tremendous opportunity for new-to-market brands to be matched appropriately with interested import distributors in the UK.

Expression of Interest Applications to participate close 5pm Friday 25 March 2022. For further information please email  Faith.NgUni@cciwa.com or call 0435 144 643 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA). Alternatively, you can register your interest. Source: CCIWA / TradeStart | Photo: iStock

The WA Government is joining the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to celebrate sustainable seafood, what it means to consumers and how WA commercial and recreational fisheries support local jobs and economic growth. This year also marks a special milestone for the State, with the WA Government honoured by MSC for 10 years of commitment to sustainability certification.

As the leaders in third-party sustainability certification, MSC applies rigorous requirements based on the three key elements of sustainable fish stocks, effective fisheries management and minimising environmental impact. WA's sustainable fisheries journey has involved many firsts, including having the first fishery in the world with MSC certification for Western Rock Lobster – first certified in March 2000 – and the first-ever joint commercial and recreational fishery certification for Peel-Harvey Blue Swimmer Crabs.

The recognition of former WA fishing industry executive Guy Leyland as the Lifetime Achievement winner in the MSC's 2022 Sustainable Seafood Awards is yet another important milestone in the State's pursuit of sustainable fisheries. More... Source: WA Minister for Fisheries | Photo: MSC

The export value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture products is expected to grow by 7% in 2021–22 to $1.34 billion, and by 3.6% in 2022–23 to $1.39 billion, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Outlook 2022.

As a trade-exposed industry, the seafood sector is subject to trends in world markets.  And despite fluctuating international conditions, Australia’s trade in fisheries products is protected from longer-term shocks by Australia’s reputation as a reliable and high-quality supplier of high unit value fisheries products, and its proximity to Asia’s seafood market.

ABARES says that over the medium term, growing incomes and populations in Australia’s export destinations will drive growth in Australia’s fishery export values. Between 2022−23 and 2026–27, real export value is projected to have an average annual growth of 0.5%.

Australia’s seafood exports are mainly transported by air freight. Social distancing measures and restrictions on air travel during the pandemic negatively affected global food services and airline industries.Over the medium term, transport logistic pressures are expected to ease, as international travel and tourism increases.  More... Source: ABARES | Related:  ‘On the right track’: Australia’s seafood industry bounces back to 20 year high  Source:  SIA  | Photo:  SIA