From marron to premium nougat, the Western Australian food and beverage industry showcased an array of products at the recent Food and Hotel Asia 2006 Exhibition, held in Singapore.
From marron to premium nougat, the Western Australian food and beverage industry showcased an array of products at the recent Food and Hotel Asia 2006 Exhibition, held in Singapore.
Fifteen Western Australian exhibitors featured among the 80-strong Australian contingent in the ‘Flavours of Australia’ section of the exhibition.
Austrade regional director for South East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific, David Twine said international buyers come from across the globe to sample Australian food products.
“Australia exported more than $550 million worth of food and beverage products to Singapore in 2005 with dairy and meat products generating the highest export sales,” he said.
“Export sales at the show have been excellent.”
Of the WA contingent, local processors and distributor Aquatic Resource Management, which trades under the name Marron Fresh, exhibited its unique freshwater crayfish, which the company believes has the highest meat recovery of all freshwater crayfish in the world.
Family owned Golden Boronia (Australia) Pty Ltd exhibited its premium nougat, which the company now distributes to South-East Asia, New Zealand, the UK, United Arab Emirates, Canada and the US.
Also in attendance were Leeuwin Star Pty Ltd, exhibiting its canned and frozen abalone, which it exports to clients throughout East Asia, and Margaret River Premium Meat Exports Pty Ltd, which markets premium quality meat including Wagyu beef grain-fed beef, venison, ostrich, grain fed lamb goat and emu.
Third generation family owned and operated Trandos Farms and Trandos Hydro-ponics Pty Ltd exhibited their hydroponically grown vegetables.
Wineries made up a large proportion of the WA contingent with Chapman Grove Wines, Edwards Winery, Hotham Ridge Winery, Thompson Estate, Willespie and Wills Domain Margaret River exhibiting their produce.
Other companies in Singapore were Harvey Fresh Ltd, Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative Ltd, and Golden Egg Farms.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance urged businesses to develop closer ties and to further their understanding of market requirements in Singapore.
Discerning consumers wanted top quality, safe and healthy food, he said.
According to Austrade data, South-East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific regions account for more than a third of all Australian exporters, while Asia Pacific makes up 14 of the top 20 exporter destinations.
Singapore and Australia signed a free trade agreement in 2003. In 2005, 55 per cent of the 127 new exporters to Singapore were food and beverage businesses.
