Food and fiber exports continue meteoric rise

1448
Premier Denis Napthine visited stalls at South Melbourne Market where he launched the 2012-13 Food and Fibre Exports Performance report. Image credit: Media release

Victoria’s food and fiber exports have once again topped previous export levels as demand for grain and meat from China, as well as from the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia don’t show signs of slowing down.

Premier Denis Napthine visited stalls at South Melbourne Market where he launched the 2012-13 Food and Fibre Exports Performance report. Image credit: Media release
Premier Denis Napthine visited stalls at South Melbourne Market where he launched the 2012-13 Food and Fibre Exports Performance report.
Image credit: Media release

Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh and Premier Denis Napthine met on Tuesday at Ralph Meats in South Melbourne to present the results of the 2012-13 Food and Fiber Export Performance report, according to a news release.

The report showed a 5% increase in food and fiber exports, which is equivalent to $9.4 billion in 2012-13, due to increase in demand in markets singled out by Victorian Coalition Government’s trade mission program as potentially profitable.

Dr. Napthine expressed his delight at the achieved results and attributed the historic results to the successful implementation of the Super Trade Mission to China in 2012.

“This is a fantastic result for our food and fiber producers and exporters and is yet another reminder of the crucial role the farm sector plays in generating jobs and wealth in the Victorian economy,” Dr. Napthine said.

Adertisement

“It is particularly pleasing to see that following our Super Trade Mission to China in 2012, the value of food and fiber exports to China grew by $300 million. This includes an increase in meat shipments of $213 million, or 111 per cent.”

Ralph’s Meats Director Julian Ralph expressed his gratitude to the Victorian Government and also spoke about the impact and success of the Super Trade Mission to China. According to him, his company received $10 million worth of orders immediately upon embarking on the trip.

“We had immediate interest and commitment from importers during the Trade Mission and within a week or two of returning to Australia we were packing and loading containers bound for China,” Mr. Ralph said.

“The time is right for Australia to sell more product to China and it’s great that the Victorian Government is helping companies like ours to do just that.”

Mr. Walsh highlighted the readiness of Victoria to take full advantage of growing markets in Asia and UAE and add to the historic results, while also stressing that the Government will continue with the efforts to achieve its objectives, which is to double the food and fiber production by 2030.

“We are committed to reaching this target through our trade mission program and through research and development aimed at increasing the productivity of our food and fiber producers and enhancing their international competitiveness.”