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25 June 2024
Western Australian agrifood export eNews
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook welcomed the Premier of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, to Perth as part of his high-level delegation to Australia.
Premier Cook and Premier Li held a one-on-one meeting on Tuesday, 18 June, with securing new direct flights between China and Western Australia an important focus.
Premier Cook also raised opportunities for increased trade as part of the energy transition, and the importance of re-establishing the lobster trade.
As part of the visit, Premier Cook accompanied Premier Li on his visit to Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia's lithium hydroxide facility in Kwinana. Premier Li also attended a business roundtable and community reception.
China is WA's largest trading partner, with $162.9 billion of goods traded in 2023 - accounting for 58 per cent of the State's goods exports. WA accounted for 75 per cent of Australia's goods exports to China in 2023.
In recent months, the Cook Government has opened a new trade office in Hangzhou - the State's second trade office in China.
Source: WA Gov | Photo: Sky News
Vinexpo Asia is the leading industry event for wine and spirits professionals in the region, with the latest show held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from May 28th-30th. The three-day B2B trade event provided the opportunity for Western Australian wine producers to showcase their brands to over 14,000 trade visitors from 60 countries, facilitating networking and buying opportunities across the industry. It also presented the ideal opportunity to re-engage with wine business partners from Mainland China following the recent removal of tariffs.
With support from WA WINES TO THE WORLD there was a significant presence of Western Australian fine wines within the Wine Australia stand, highlighting the state’s diversity with 12 producers representing wines from Margaret River, Great Southern, Swan Valley, Geographe and Blackwood Valley regions.
Feedback from participating WA producers was extremely positive, both in terms of the China market opportunity and connections made with buyers from other key Asian markets
Source | Photo: Wines of WA
The Government is driving cutting edge research in Western Australia by supporting the inaugural John Cripps Horticulture Scholarship for studies that will pave the way to new, tasty apple varieties.
PhD student Golam Azam has been awarded the $150,000 scholarship, named in honour of the renowned WA breeder of the Pink Lady apple, which will assist him to unlock the genetic mystery of the Cripps Pink variety and its variants.
Genome mapping will help plant breeders identify DNA markers crucial for developing unique, high-performance varieties, creating fresh options for apple lovers and new market opportunities for industry.
The innovative work also reduces apple breeding costs and fast tracks improved and more profitable apple varieties.
Mr Azam will undertake his PhD studies at The University of Western Australia, where he will be mentored by experts from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Western Australia is home to the Australian National Apple Breeding Program, based at DPIRD's Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute, which has a nursery of more than 50,000 seedlings.
The scholarship is funded by royalties from horticulture varieties developed by the State, including those from Cripps Pink and Cripps Red apples - marketed as Pink Lady, Sundowner and Bravo.
Source: WA Gov | Photo: Janelle - stock.adobe.com
The State Government has contributed $490,000 to the First Nations Regenerative Agribusiness Program, alongside $200,000 from the Federal Government's Future Drought Fund for Farm Business Resilience.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is working with First Nations partners to provide on-Country, place-based training and support to increase capability for landholders, land managers, farmers and producers.
To support program delivery, DPIRD is entering a two-year $250,000 partnership with Outback Academy Australia (OAA) to coordinate training and develop practical on-ground tools for farm business resilience and diversification through their Follow the Flowers initiative.
The program will also work with training providers and Aboriginal ranger groups over the next three years to support skills training and workforce development for Aboriginal people involved in land regeneration business activities.
Source: WA Gov | Photo: DPIRD
The latest Western Australia Trade Profile has been recently released for public to access.
The report indicates that Western Australia is the largest exporting state or territory in Australia, accounting for 47% of the value of Australia’s exports of goods in 2023.
Western Australia’s main exports are minerals (iron ore, gold and lithium), energy (liquefied natural gas), and agri‑food (wheat, canola seeds and barley).
In 2023, the value of Western Australia’s exports of goods rose 1% to $262.8 billion, and the value of its imports of goods rose 4% to $48.7 billion.
More reports about WA economic status can be downloaded through here.
Source| Photo: Department of JTSI
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.
