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17 September 2024
Western Australian agrifood export eNews
The Federal Government has secured new market access to Vietnam which sees the addition of high-quality Australian plums to the existing trade for peaches and nectarines.
The development is part of a two-way agricultural market access agreement that provides Australian plums to Vietnam and Vietnamese passionfruit to Australia.
“This new market access is a significant milestone for the stone fruit industry and for the Australia-Vietnam trading relationship,” said minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP. “Accelerating mutual market access outcomes is a reflection of Australia and Vietnam’s strong bilateral relationship and drive to support our agriculture industries to capitalise on export opportunities.
Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports to Vietnam were worth $3.7 billion in 2023-24.The growing trade for stone fruit is set to further solidify Australia’s relationship with its sixth largest export market.
This outcome supports the agricultural industry’s aim to grow towards becoming a $100 billion sector, and the Australian horticultural sector’s aim to become a $20 billion business by 2030.
Source: Minister.agriculture.gov.au | Photo: Adobe Stock
On Farm Connectivity Program Info Webinar open for registration
In this info-packed 60-minutes, you’ll learn:
- How as a primary producer you can receive up to a $30,000 rebate on connectivity and agritech equipment.
- Two agritech experts Bill Mitchell (2024 Agtech of the Year winner) and Tim Neale (President of Aust Agritech Association) will discuss how your farming operation can begin exploring agritech solutions and what are the important questions to ask potential suppliers.
- How the staff at Regional Tech Hub are providing advice to primary producers across Australia with their OFCP support service.
Seats are limited, so reserve your spot now! Register via the link here.
This free webinar is hosted by the National Farmers’ Federation and the Regional Tech Hub. It is the first in a series of webinars highlighting opportunities for primary producers to apply for on farm connectivity solutions through the Government’s OFCP rebate. More program information can be accessible via the website.
Source & Image: NFF and RTH
The Export Market Development Grants program (EMDG) provides grants to eligible Australian small to medium businesses, and to their representative bodies. Grants can be spent on additional eligible marketing, promotional, and training activities that help create, expand, and diversify export markets.
EMDG is administered by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) which is currently managing four grant rounds. Rounds One (2021), Two (2022) and Three (2023) of the EMDG program are now all closed. Round Four will be opening in November 2024.
This round introduces updated grant guidelines and eligibility criteria. There will be different opening dates for representative bodies and each tier:
- Representative bodies, applications open AEDT 10am on 6 November
- Tier 1 – ready to export, applications open AEDT 10am on 12 November
- Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets, applications open AEDT 10am on 12 November
- Tier 3 – exporting to new key markets, applications open AEDT 10am on 12 November.
Applications will close when the allocated funding for each tier is fully distributed. Austrade will provide regular updates on the portal and their website regarding the application status.
EMDG is a matched funding program. Successful applicants must always match the amount of their EMDG grant by spending an equal amount of their own money on the eligible activities.
Sign up the EMDG Update newsletter to receive reminders when the next round opens and key dates for each of the tiers.
Source: Austrade | Image: RDATN - Linda Adams
This is a new collaboration between Wine Australia and New Zealand Winegrowers - taking over from Wine Australia’s extremely successful annual Australia Trade Tasting series, which has been running since 1986.
Registrations are now open to wineries, importers, distributors and agents in the UK and Ireland to participate in the Australia & NZ Trade Tasting 2025, led by Wine Australia and New Zealand Winegrowers. The event comprises trade tastings in London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Exhibitors can participate in one, two or all three cities.
The trade tasting is an opportunity for wineries and importers to meet distributors, buyers, multiple retailers and independent specialists, the on-trade and sommeliers, and work on leads and generate listings. Attendees comprise a cross section of UK and Irish trade, as well as visiting trade from across Europe including Germany, France, Poland, The Netherlands and the Nordics.
- OBJECTIVE: Provide support for new-to-market exporters to assist them in finding suitable distribution in the UK.
- ELIGIBILITY: WA wineries seeking distribution - includes new-to-market entrants, as well as those re-entering the market.
- TIMING: Dunlin - 27/01/2025; London - 30/01/2025; Edinburgh - 04/02/2025
See Wine Australia web page for complete details re activities across all three cities.
Please register here - 'first come first served' basis.
Source & photo: Wines of WA
The release of the September cattle and sheep projections updates show record exports of beef and sheepmeat for the upcoming calendar year. While many factors have led to these high numbers, Australia’s strong market access position has improved diversification and competitiveness in the global market.
As an export-oriented, red meat-producing nation, free trade has been vitally important in developing a resilient industry. The majority of Australian red meat exports are now covered by FTAs, which have eliminated or significantly reduced tariffs on the vast majority of exports.
In the year-to-August 2024, 93% of Australian beef exports were shipped to countries with which Australia has an FTA. This figure stands in stark contrast to 2014, when 38% of exports were to countries with FTAs, or in 2004, when that figure was only 0.4%.
Sheepmeat exports are less likely to be directed to a country which Australia has an FTA with. In the year-to-August, 61% of lamb and mutton exports went to markets with which Australia has an FTA – although many of the non-FTA destinations have either zero or low tariffs. Most of the non-FTA sheepmeat exports go to Middle Eastern countries, especially countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCG).
The Australian Government is continuing negotiations with the European Union and the United Arab Emirates and is seeking to further our bilateral partnership with India. All three could further improve Australia’s red meat market access and bring our sector even closer to comprehensive FTA coverage.
Industry will continue to work in partnership with Government to alleviate a number of priority NTBs, with the aim of reducing the NTB impact by $1 billion/year by 2030.
Source: Meat & Livestock Australia -Tim Jackson | Photo: Adobe Stock
The honey bee industry is buzzing with potential as the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program Future Leaders Bursary introduces a new wave of talented young professionals poised to drive innovation and sustainability.
Valued at up to $2,100, the Future Leaders Bursary is a unique opportunity for young beekeepers, scientists, as aspiring future leaders to attend their respective state beekeeping association conferences, presenting an invaluable chance to advance their careers in beekeeping.
This year’s pilot program, running in NSW, QLD and WA, aims to expand nationwide by 2025, fostering the development of a skilled and passionate next generation dedicated to the thriving honey bee industry.
AgriFutures Australia Senior Manager Levied & Emerging Industries – Honey Bee & Pollination, Amanda Olthof, explained that the pilot program aligns with AgriFutures’ goal of improving industry capability.
“This priority aims to undertake capacity building through professional development of researchers, beekeepers and future industry leaders,” she said.
“The bursary provides the opportunity for our emerging leaders in the bee keeping and research space to network, serving as a gateway to establish a solid foundation in the honey bee industry.”
The success of the 2024 pilot program will be assessed and the AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination Advisory Panel will review its outcomes to decide on future support.
Source: AgriFutures Australia | Image: Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
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), 2024.
