An international research scholarship recipient has arrived in Western Australia to undertake foundation research that will assist apple growers to improve fruit colour – a significant driver of fruit quality and profitability.

Zhe Gao, from the Inner Mongolia University of China, has a background in analysis of plant flavonoid components. His one year visiting fellow scholarship is funded by the China Scholarship Council Program and co-hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional (DPIRD) and The University of Western Australia.

DPIRD fruit and perennial crops lead Dario Stefanelli said Mr Zhe’s work would lay the groundwork to better understand possible thresholds at which growers could take action to enhance apple colour, earlier in the season. Dr Stefanelli said the project would provide a valuable insight into the interaction between light and colour development in apples.

“The research will examine the quantity and quality of the apple colour, how colour changes, what is driving those changes and the chemical composition of colour,” he said. The field trial component of the research will involve the use of bags to cover the developing fruit, to simulate shade variations, to measure the physiological colour responses to light exposure. The biochemical analysis will take apple production to the next level and inform discussion about management intervention options that could improve orchard management, yields and quality.” More... Source and Photo: DPIRD[International research scholarship recipient Zhe Gao is undertaking research to assist apple growers improve fruit colour.]

The South West Development Commission (SWDC) is once again rolling out the welcome mat for an international trade delegation, as part of continued efforts to link local businesses to new market opportunities. The trade industry group – comprising members visiting from countries such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines – recently spent time on the ground in both the South West and Great Southern regions during their visit.

The timing of the inbound trade mission was organised to coincide with the Wine Show of Western Australia in Mount Barker, and the Fine Vines Festival taking place in the Margaret River Region. As well as having the opportunity to attend the events, the delegates also visited wineries and participated in trade tastings.

SWDC chief executive officer Mellisa Teede said the visit presented delegates with a chance to gain first-hand appreciation of the unique characteristics of the South West.

“From premium wines to gourmet food products and dream-like tourist experiences, Western Australia’s South West region has a lot to offer the world,” Ms Teede said. “Inbound trade missions give us a chance to sell the region to decision-makers, while providing local businesses with a valuable chance to meet with importers, buyers, retailers, restaurateurs and wholesalers who are visiting for the purpose of unearthing new products.”

The mission was made possible through a collaborative arrangement between Austrade, SWDC, the Great Southern Development Commission, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Wines of Western Australia. Additional support was provided by Australia’s South West, Margaret River Wine Association, and Great Southern Wine Producers’ Association. More... Source and Photo: SWDC [Delegation at The Folley, Swinney’s vineyard, Frankland River.]

Austrade's Export Supply Chain Service (ESCS) invites exporters to attend the second ESCS Industry Briefing on Monday 14 November 2022, from 12 noon to 1pm AWST.
 
Register now for the virtual briefing to hear from industry leaders ESCS Principal Michael Byrne, and Australian Logistics Council Chief Executive Officer, Hermione Parsons, on current challenges and what to expect leading into the peak summer period.

Please submit any questions and/or comments to be addressed during the live question and answer session via your WebEx registration form, or by emailing supplychains@austrade.gov.au by Thursday 10 November 2022. More... Source and Graphic: Austrade

The food and agribusiness opportunity in Western Australia could be worth almost $26 billion by 2030 in value-added production, resulting in 113,000 jobs, according to a new report from the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre.  This is over three times the current value-added production by the food and agribusiness sector in WA.

Similar to its current share of gross value-added production in food and agribusiness, WA ranks fourth amongst all states and territories in terms of 2030 opportunities by value-added production, and potential jobs created by 2030. More... Source: FIAL | Photo: DPIRD

Asialink Business and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations invites you to join to the online launch of Risk and Reward: Opportunities for Australian SMEs in China report.

The report shines a spotlight on the experiences of Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in China, and draws on in-depth research and interviews with Australian SMEs in priority sectors, including food and beverage, skincare, health supplements and fashion.

Hear from industry leaders as they share the opportunities and challenges facing Australian SMEs in China.

Register for this free online event, which takes place on Tuesday 8 November 2022 at 12.30pm AWST. Source: Asialink | Photo: Denys Nevozhai / Unsplash [Shanghai, China]