Trade Minister Simon Crean has announced the appointment of Peter Grey as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade). Mr Grey has extensive experience both in Australia and overseas in prosecuting Australia’s trade and commercial relationships, the Minister advised. He is presently the Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. “Throughout his career Mr Grey has worked closely with Australia’s... ...Read more »

Australian speciality food and beverage product makers are looking to make their mark in America during the next two weeks, as more than 25 companies showcase over 70 products across Manhattan, during G’Day USA: Australia Week. “This annual boutique supermarket promotion builds on the success of the past seven years and demonstrates the ongoing demand for quality Australian specialty and gourmet food and wines,” Austrade’s Regional Director for the Americas, Grame Barty, advised. “Key... ...Read more »

G’Day USA: Australia Week 2010 has begun with events for a wide range of sectors being held in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and San Diego. Now in its seventh year, the celebration of all things Australian remains the largest foreign country promotion held annually in the United States. Austrade’s Regional Director for the Americas, Grame Barty, said the 2010 program “will again demonstrate Australia as an innovative, sophisticated economy with leading edge research technology,... ...Read more »

The free trade agreement with ASEAN countries, which came into effect this week, offers little benefit to Australian producers while removing all tariffs on food imported into Australia, according to the leader of The Nationals and Shadow Trade Minister, Warren Truss.”This free trade agreement is an alarming example of what Labor is prepared to concede to get a seat at a treaty signing ceremony,” Mr Truss contended. “AANZFTA may well be the first trade agreement Australia has signed... ...Read more »

Federal Trade Minister Simon Crean yesterday welcomed the commencement of Australia’s largest free trade agreement - the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), with food exporters likely to be among the lead beneficiaries. The historic agreement will span 12 economies with over 600 million people and a combined GDP of $3.1 trillion. “The commencement of this agreement is a major milestone and opens up significant opportunities for Australian businesses in one of the... ...Read more »

Whilst protecting our environment has been the focus for leaders this month, when families around the world sit down for their festive feast this year many will have Australian exporters to thank for foods with a sustainable flavour, according to Austrade Chief Economist Tim Harcourt. Mr Harcourt noted that sales in many Christmas-related food categories had soared this year, while sustainable products were performing well. “Several food and beverage export categories have being growing strongly... ...Read more »

An Australian-owned beer delivery service has taken out the Business Promotion Award at the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) Business Awards in Beijing. With auspicious beginnings in a Shanghai lounge room in 2007 JustBeer began with the intention of bringing quality beers into China for the enjoyment of both foreigners and local Chinese. The founders felt local beers didn’t quite measure up to what they were used to and, with a lack of choice when it came to quality imported... ...Read more »

Mark Best, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, will visit Taiwan (27 Sept-4 Oct) in support of an Austrade initiative to promote premium Australian food and wines to consumers in the region. A leader in contemporary French cuisine, Best has achieved rave reviews from food critics and recently claimed the 2010 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Best Chef Award. Later this year the Executive Chef of Marque will present at Madrid Fusion, making him only the second Australian chef after... ...Read more »

The Fine Food Australia award winners were announced on Monday night, with Foods Pacific Limited and Rubens Fine Foods sharing the prize for Best New Australian Retail Product.Australia’s largest food industry trade show is in full swing this week, with the food industry showing their wares to international and domestic buyers. Austrade is confident the show will boost food exports, having brought more than 250 food buyers from over 30 countries to attend. Last year, $32 million worth of export... ...Read more »

International food buyers from more than 30 countries are making their way to Sydney next week to savour and spend up on the best of Australia’s food offerings at Fine Food, according to Exhibition Organiser, Diversified Exhibitions Australia. “Fine Food, in conjunction with Austrade, has a successful track record of matching buyers with suppliers,” Exhibition Manager, Minnie Constan, suggested. “Austrade estimate export sales resulting from the 2007 show in Sydney were valued... ...Read more »