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7 March 2023
Western Australian Agrifood Export eNews
On the back of the State's biggest ever harvest, the Western Australian Government's investment in research and development is helping to grow and future-proof the valuable grains industry. WA grain growers produced more than 26 million tonnes in 2022-23, making it the second consecutive record crop for the State.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis reinforced the Government's commitment to research and development to support growth in the grains industry.
"There are always challenges for farmers, whether it be climate change, rising input costs or pests and disease – so backing industry with a robust research and development sector is vital,” Ms Jarvis said.
More than 25 researchers from the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development presented at the Grains Research and Development Corporation Grains Research Update last week. Topics included plant breeding, agronomy, crop protection and reducing grains carbon emissions.
The WA Government has also welcomed the new addition of the Grower Group Alliance to the landmark Western Australian Agricultural Research Collaboration, with $25 million provided by the State Government over three years.
Grains production is the State's most valuable agricultural industry, with this season's harvest expected to reach $10 billion in value. More...
Source: WA Minister for Agriculture and Food | Related: Australian agricultural production to reach record $90 billion in 2022–23 Source: ABARES | Photo: DPIRD
With guidance from the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Australia, Katalis has recently identified agriculture and agri-tech as one of the sectors or value chains of mutual interest of both countries in the long-term.
Katalis is a bilateral, government-funded economic cooperation program between Indonesia and Australia established under the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Of particular interest are opportunities relating, but not limited to, meat and livestock, dairy, grains, tropical fruit and nuts, aquaculture and fisheries, downstream food and beverages, consumer packaged goods, and AgTech.
Businesses are being asked to identify innovative ideas for co-investment that will drive commercial outcomes in the agricultural value chain between Australia and Indonesia. Asialink Business and Beanstalk have partnered to welcome businesses and organisations that would like to express interest in both partnering with Katalis and investing their own funds in commercial opportunities.
If you’re interested, please fill out the survey here by Wednesday 15 March 2023. For more information, please check out the frequently asked questions or email info@iacepa-katalis.org. More...
Source: Katalis / Asialink Business / Beanstalk | Photo: Katalis
The first Western Australian Agtech Meetup for 2023 will be in Perth later this week, where discussion will focus on sustainability in livestock, and the role for technology and innovation in reaching industry CN30 (carbon neutrality by 2030) goals.
Hear from innovative producers leading the charge on technology adoption, as well as agtech providers delivering impactful solutions for the industry.
This free event on Thursday 9 March from 5pm to 7pm AWST takes place at Base @ FLUX Perth, 191 St George's Terrace, Perth, with networking and refreshments provided after the session.
The event will also be available virtually via Zoom so, if you can't make it in person, make sure you register for the live stream (details will be shared after registration). Places are limited so please register now. More...
Source and Image: DPIRD
Cold Chain Optimisation tour: Improving cold chain practices
Several Western Australian and national organisations took part in a Cold Chain Optimisation roadshow last Wednesday to learn from others how to improve their cold chain practices. Visiting Fruitico in the Peel region, Ryan's Meats in Bunbury and the WA Fishing Industry Council in Fremantle, the group saw other cold chains in operation and were able to discuss the challenges and opportunities they faced.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AusIndustry in collaboration with WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) established a pilot Cold Chain Optimisation Project. The objective was to improve cold chain management capacity so as to better manage the unreliability, heightened costs in domestic and international supply chains in order to deliver premium, perishable products at the required quality standard. The roadshow was a part of the pilot project.
Participants learnt how to build cold chain capability to preserve shelf life, enhance brand reputation and improve profitability. Mark Mitchell, Chairman of the Australian Food Cold Chain Council took part in the roadshow and was available to discuss how best to approach cold chain challenges, and keep up with the new Australian Cold Food Codes. There was also an opportunity to use the newly released Cold Chain Benchmarking Tool to assess and report on the standard and validity of the cold chain processes used, and help identify areas where improvement might be beneficial.
The tour was sponsored and supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources as part of the AusIndustry Entrepreneur’s Program, together with DPIRD. For further information about the Cold Chain Optimisation Project, please email Terry Burnage, DPIRD Agribusiness Food and Trade, at terry.burnage@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Source and Photo: DPIRD [The roadshow visiting Fruitico in Peel Region.]
In recognition of International Women’s Day 2023 (tomorrow, 8 March), the Asia Business Insights Series presents the webinar Ensuring Equity within Digital Innovation.
It is without doubt that digital technology has become an integral component of our everyday lives. However, a significant gender divide remains in who designs and develops new technological products and who can access, use and benefit from them. To address this, the United Nations has called for a gender-responsive approach to technological advancement through this year’s theme of DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.
This free webinar – taking place at 12.30pm AWST on Thursday 16 March 2023 – will bring together four trailblazing industry leaders to discuss equality and equity in digital innovation and explore their ideas on what the future may hold for women in tech across Australia and Asia. Panelists will be invited to discuss their experiences in their varying tech-fields and share advice for the next generation of leaders. More...
Source: Asialink Business | Related: Video: #PowerOn to create an equal digital future – IWD2023 Source and Image: UN Women
Western Australia's Beekeeping Community Conference 2023 will be taking place in Perth from Friday 28 April until Sunday 30 April 2023, providing a great opportunity for commercial and recreational beekeepers to promote the industry, discuss industry issues and share knowledge, values and contacts.
Hosted by the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia (BICWA) and opened by WA's Minister for Agriculture and Food, Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, the Friday event will include numerous panel discussions on the growth of the WA honey bee industry; WA Queen bees live export; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development support for WA beekeepers; Varroa; and hive tracking and monitoring.
Saturday talks accommodate recreational beekeepers and offer highlights like Honey Tastings workshops with Jess Locarnini and Garden Talk with Deryn Thorpe. Along with panel sessions, there will be everything you want to know about honey bees.
The conference includes two full days of exhibition, a conference dinner, a beekeepers' breakfast with guest speaker Jess Locarnini, and a concluding sundowner following an action-packed two-day event. On Sunday 30 April, two industry tours leave for a full-day beekeeping experience showcasing the iconic Jarrah and Marri forests.
Registration is now open for the conference which is being held at the Claremont Showground Centenary Pavilion. For further information, including being a conference sponsor or partner, please contact BICWA at info@bicwa.com.au.
In 2022 WA exported 350,800 kilograms of honey worth $5.7 million. WA’s largest market was Japan which accounted for 37% of honey exported and was valued at $2.1 million. Japan was followed by Mauritius with 22% of exports, and Singapore and China accounting for 12% each. A number of WA's honey exporters attended Gulfood 2023 in February, with great interest shown in the State's unique and premium-quality monofloral honeys. More...
Source: BICWA / Kate Pritchett, DPIRD | Photo: DPIRD
Strong global prices led to a record $4.5 billion in Australian sheep meat exports in 2021–22, according to the latest export market snapshot from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Record exports were primarily caused by strong increases in the average
Australian export price of lamb (up 21%) and mutton (up 19%), compared
to the previous three-year average. The United States is Australia’s largest sheep meat market by value, China is Australia’s largest sheep meat market by volume. Australia (34%) and New Zealand (37%) are the largest global exporters
of sheep meat.
Australia’s sheep meat production is expected to increase in 2022–23,
however prices are expected to fall from the high levels seen in 2021–22.
The long-term global outlook for sheep meat is strong, supported by growing global demand and a continued move towards high-value lamb products. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation expect global sheep meat consumption to increase from 15.9 million tonnes in 2021 to 18.1 million tonnes in 2031 (up 15%). More...
Source and Graphic: DAFF
Following a long-term trend of post-pandemic recovery, outbound flights from Australia to Indonesia, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are already soaring past pre-COVID levels, according to the latest Export Supply Chain Snapshot from Austrade.
And in further welcome news for Australian exporters, Chinese carriers are rapidly returning to Australian skies, with an 88% increase in flights since the end of January 2023. However, overall Australia to China flight numbers for February were still only 29% of pre-COVID levels.
At the height of the pandemic, Cathay Pacific had over 40% of their aircraft in storage, but in 2023, 100% of their aircraft are operational.
Australian outbound air freight pricing remains at least 2.5 to 3.5 times more expensive now from the East Coast (and 4 times more expensive from Perth) compared to pre-COVID. With increased input costs and persistently high passenger travel demand, rates are likely to remain elevated in the near term.
The Export Supply Chain Service is an Austrade initiative to coordinate supply chain insights while connectivity to international markets remains volatile, capacity diminished and rates expensive. More...
Source: Austrade | Photo: Azlan Baharudin / Unsplash
South America is becoming a major competitor for Australian agricultural products in Asian markets, according to a recent market insight released by Austrade and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The signing of 45 free trade agreements (FTAs) between South American and Asian markets over the past 10 years is increasing competition. At least 35 more agreements are under negotiation. Other factors include: improved market access for South American products; increased agricultural production in South America; and growing demand for imported food in Asia.
South America is a competitor for some of Australia’s major agricultural exports – such as grains, beef, and horticulture. However, it is also a valuable market for Australian agricultural exports. These exports include barley, malt, frozen beef and, in 2022, red table wine.
Two factors will continue to improve the competitiveness of South American producers in international markets. These are staged tariff reductions under current FTAs and the potential for new agreements.
Australia’s reputation for high-quality produce, and our proximity to Asia will partly mitigate the impact of competition from South America. High global shipping costs have increased the importance of proximity in recent years. However, in the longer term, increased supply from South American countries may place downward pressure on prices in Southeast and Northeast Asian markets. More...
Source: Austrade / DAFF | Photo: Eelco Böhtlingk / Unsplash [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]
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), 2023.
