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28 July 2026
Western Australian agrifood export eNews
Global trade has changed. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruption, rising input costs and shifting customer demand have created a business environment where uncertainty is no longer the exception. It is the operating environment.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's(DPIRD's) new Food and Beverage – Trade Unpacked podcast has been launched and explores how successful exporters are adapting to this new reality.
In Episode 1, Harvest Road COO Ben Dwyer shares the lessons learned from leading one of Western Australia's largest vertically integrated agribusinesses through increasingly unpredictable global markets. Drawing on experience exporting to 38 countries, Ben discusses managing supply chain disruption, controlling costs, understanding customers, embracing technology, and making better decisions when markets refuse to stand still.
Future episodes will explore market selection without regret, what breaks first when producers go export-facing and designing resilience without over diversifying.
The podcast is part of DPIRD’s Global Readiness Program, which helps WA agrifood and beverage businesses to become export ready.
DPIRD primary industry trade manager Joan Lim said the podcast complemented a series of Global Readiness webinars and breakfast briefings.
“The podcast is a great addition to this comprehensive program, which is building the skills, knowledge and confidence businesses require to compete and thrive in the global marketplace,” she said.
More than 20 businesses have already engaged in the four part roundtable breakfast briefings, gleaning essential information and market intelligence to target overseas markets. Future WA Export Roundtable Breakfast Series sessions will be held on 20 August and 15 October 2026.
To register to attend a session, download the Food and Beverage – Trade Unpacked podcast and for more information visit the Global Readiness Program webpage.
Source and image: WA Gov & 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 Friday 31 July 2026 to be considered via the ITWA website. Eligible registrants will be contacted directly and invited to formally apply.
For more information, or any questions, please contact the ITWA Trade Promotion team via ROI.ITWA@deed.wa.gov.au.
Source and image: DEED
Join DPIRD for this comprehensive one-day strategic and business planning workshops designed specifically for Western Australia’s agribusiness and food/beverage related manufacturers and producers. This workshop will help you:
- Focus on key areas for sustained growth
- Gain new skills, no matter your experience
- Build practical capability and connectivity
- Learn with minimal business disruption
- Engage in a hands-on, interactive format
By registering for the program, you consent to your personal information being shared with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Australian Industry Group solely for the purpose of delivering the workshop.
Register for your regional workshop
Find out more about the content being delivered and register at the links below:
- Esperance | 6 August 2026, 8.30am - 4.30pm | Register
- Wheatbelt | Date TBC
Source and image: DPIRD
Understanding local business culture and practices is critical to working effectively in and with Malaysia. How relationships are built, how business styles differ and how you respond in practice can influence business outcomes.
Asialink Business invites you to join our upcoming Doing Business Briefing: Malaysia, a facilitator-led online session designed to help Australian organisations build the knowledge and skills needed to engage effectively with Malaysian stakeholders.
Key takeaways
- Raise awareness of the key cultural drivers that impact the way business is conducted in Malaysia.
- Build understanding of Malaysian business styles and how to respond.
- Introduce the skills needed to effectively influence business outcomes and strengthen relationships when working in and with Malaysia.
Session details
- 11am-1pm AWST, Wednesday 12 August 2026
- Reserve a spot
Source and Image: Asialink
Updates developed in collaboration with International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Limited (IFCBAA).
Americas
- The Panama Canal Authority has restricted the number of vessel transits over concerns that El Nino weather patterns will affect water storage levels.
Greater China and Northeast Asia
- China Airlines will increase services between Sydney and Taipei from 5 weekly flights to daily services from late October 2026.
South Asia, Middle East and Africa
- Some blockading of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is being reported. This is causing vessels to avoid the passage out of the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Source: Go Global Toolkit mage: iStock (Golden Sikorka)
Australia’s avocado production is expected to rebound over the coming seasons, with supply and exports forecast to reach record levels, according to Rabobank’s latest Global Avocado Update 2026.
The report, produced by the bank’s RaboResearch division, says Australian production is expected to increase to around 170,000 metric tonnes after declining during the 2024/25 season due to the natural biennial bearing cycle of avocado trees.
Exports
As for avocado exports, the report says, Australia has overall continued to lift volumes in recent years. For calendar year 2025, exports reached a record high of approximately 18,400 metric tonnes.
Asia remains a core destination for Australian avocados, RaboResearch senior analyst Michael Harvey said, led by established markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. “And with emerging markets across other South-East Asian economies and the Middle East,” he said.
Average export prices for Australian avocados ranged between AUD 5.20 and AUD 5.24 per kilogram between 2024 and early 2026, the report said.
In the domestic Australian market, while New Zealand supplied 6000 metric tonnes of avocados to fill the “seasonal gap” in 2025, the report says New Zealand imports to Australia are declining, with weaker demand due to increased local supply.
Global update
Globally, the report says, avocado exports remain on a strong growth trajectory off the back of robust output from longstanding production “heavyweights”, and rising production across a host of emerging players.
“Global exports have risen dramatically, from 0.73 million metric tonnes in 2010/11 to more than 3.3 million tonnes in 2025/26, with Mexico and Peru as the dominant contributors alongside growing volumes from others like Kenya, Spain, Colombia and South Africa,” Mr Harvey said.
The report says global avocado volumes are expected to increase further in the 2026/27 season, however the developing El Niño is set to heighten, but unevenly distribute, weather risks.
Source: Rabobank | Image: iStock (Thai Liang Lim)
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.
