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Western Australian food and beverage businesses are encouraged to attend DPIRD’s upcoming trade workshops, providing valuable insight on navigating export markets and how to perfect the sales pitch for domestic and international markets.
Whether new to exporting or looking to scale up international operations, the day one workshop Beyond Borders: Export Focus will provide actionable insights and expert guidance. The day two workshop Pitch Perfect: Domestic and International Markets will deliver the tools to speak the buyers' language and pitch with confidence. Participants are welcome to register for both workshops or can attend just one of the days. Find out more about each workshop below.
- Day 1: Beyond Borders: Export Focus workshop
Wednesday 24th September | 9am - 4pm | The Hub, Bentley
- Day 2: Pitch Perfect: Domestic & International Markets workshop
- Thursday 25th September | 9am - 1pm | The Hub, Bentley
Participants will receive workshop slides with sections for notes, additional resources and handbooks/worksheets in hard copy and digital formats.
Register now for individual workshops or for the entire package. Use code EARLYBIRD20 for a discounted ticket price.
Source: DPIRD | Image: iStock (skynesher)
Funding is now available to Western Australian sheep producers and processors to build capacity under the $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program.
The program forms part of Australian Government's $139.7 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package to assist businesses to adjust to the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.
The program, administered by the Rural Business Development Corporation, aims to increase onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity in WA. The program will fund capital works through two competitive grant rounds of $20 million each.
The first round is now open to eligible businesses that are, or will be, involved in production and processing in the sheep supply chain, including farmers, processors, feedlotters, and infrastructure providers such as cold storage and lairage providers.
On-farm producers and smaller-scale abattoirs are encouraged to apply. Producers can apply for grants of up to $2 million towards finishing and feedlotting developments.
Grants of up to $5 million are available to processors to enhance processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate matching co-contributions. Applications close 5pm, 22 October 2025.
More information about the grants program is available from DPIRD website.
Source and image: WA gov & DPIRD
Australia’s beef industry is on track to break production records in 2025, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections – September Update.
Despite a slight easing in herd numbers, the national cattle herd is forecast to remain stable at 31 million head, supported by strong seasonal conditions in the north and strategic herd management in the south.
Slaughter is forecast to rise 8.6% to 9.02 million head in 2025, supported by robust cattle supply and processing capacity. Carcase weights are expected to remain stable at 309.5kg/head, a historically high level. This stability is underpinned by a strong proportion of grainfed cattle in the slaughter mix and solid feed availability following autumn rainfall.
Beef exports are forecast to reach 1.5 million tonnes shipped weight in 2025, as Australia continues to capitalise on global supply constraints caused by declining production in key competitor markets such as the United States
and Brazil.
With the US progressing into a herd rebuild phase and Brazil facing herd contraction following heavy slaughter and drought recovery, Australia is uniquely positioned to meet rising international demand.
This export strength is further supported by Australia’s robust processing capacity, consistent product quality, and long-standing trade relationships across North Asia, North America, and Southeast Asia.
To access the full report, visit: Cattle Projections
Source and image: Meat & Livestock Australia
The US de minimis exemption exempts goods valued under US$800 from duties and taxes. The US has started to suspend the de minimis exemption for all low-value imports to the US from 29 August 2025. As a result, all goods valued at $US800 or less are subject to country-specific tariff rates.
Understand the changes
If you ship low-value goods from Australia to the US, you need to be aware of changes to the de minimis exemption.
The US Government is removing the exemption for all commercial shipments from all countries. From 29 August 2025, all shipments are subject to US import duties and other charges.
All shipments go through US customs clearance when the de minimis threshold is removed. This may increase the time at the border.
Duties, taxes and charges that may apply
All shipments will attract US import duties and potential customs brokerage fees, processing charges and state taxes. Duties and taxes will be collected on goods prior to entering the US.
A 10% tariff applies to most Australian goods exported to the US. Check Austrade's FAQs page for information on tariffs that may apply.
Options for dealing with de minimis removal
There are different ways of dealing with the de minimis removal. These options will still incur the US taxes, but may be more effective.
To view the experts' advice please visit the Go Global Toolkit.
Source and image: business.gov.au & Austrade
RaboResearch's annual Global Dairy Top 20 report has been released and it highlights the financial performance of leading companies in one of the world's most valuable food sectors. In 2024, the combined turnover of the Global Dairy Top 20 companies increased by 0.6% in US dollar terms. In 2025, RaboResearch expects another 0.5% growth in turnover based on the current Top 20 list, but this number could shift significantly due to pending merger & acquisition activity, currency changes, and regional milk price trends. Eight companies switched places with each other in this year's list.
Looking further ahead, RaboResearch expects about half of the companies listed to maintain their positions in 2026. Significant M&A activity is on the horizon that will lead to major shifts next year, including the Friesland Campina-Milcobel merger, the Arla Foods-Deutsche Milchkontor (DMK) merger, Yoplait's integration into Lactalis and Sodiaal, and Unilever's divestment of its ice cream business.
The full article can be accessed through the Rabobank website.
Source and image: Rabobank
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), 2024.
