Dairy Australia will take the Australian Dairy Industry on the road this year, holding information seminars across five south-east Asian countries.  The seminars will target food service companies, retailers, manufacturers, food traders and government officials. Featuring information on Dairy Australia as well as general Australian dairy industry news and market trends, the roadshow will keep important clients up-to-date with Australian dairy.  The seminars are supported by Austrade and will include... ...Read more »

Japan’s food ministry will expand a pilot programme that aims to increase consumption of domestic agricultural produce as early as this year. The scheme, Food Action Nippon, uses reward points to encourage consumers to buy food products made in Japan. Food Action Nippon aims to improve the nation’s self-sufficiency and was launched in February last year at 12 large supermarkets in greater Tokyo. Sales of products that offer reward points climbed 19%, according to the ministry. The ministry... ...Read more »

After initially announcing that the ban on beef imports from BSE-affected countries would be repealed, the government has backflipped, with Agriculture Minister Tony Burke yesterday announcing that any change in the standing import policy on beef would come only after a lengthy analysis of beef exports. Vocal opposition by Liberal, Greens and independent senators appears to have led to the reversal of the decision. Despite expert opinions that US beef is free of BSE, the opposition maintains it’s... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest-ever trade promotion in China for SMEs will be staged at the 7th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) to be held in Guangzhou (Sept 15-18, 2010). Australia will be guest of honour and CISMEF 2010 co-host, with a 10,000 square metre Pavilion to promote a wide range of SMEs and industry sectors. One of the biggest trade fairs in the world, CISMEF attracted 3,935 exhibitors and 254,600 visitors from China and overseas in 2009, with deals totalling... ...Read more »

The latest NAB Quarterly Agribusiness Survey shows post-farmgate conditions and confidence declined in the December quarter, as weak domestic and export demand led to deteriorating trading conditions and profitability. Demand was reported as the major concern for agribusiness respondents with 35 per cent expecting it to be the main constraint to profitability over the next 12 months. NAB’s General Manager of Agribusiness, Khan Horne, said that agribusinesses were feeling the pinch due to the... ...Read more »

In August last year Australia’s kangaroo export trade collapsed when Russia banned imports of kangaroo meat due to food hygiene concerns. Exports to Russia accounted for nearly 70 percent of the market for Australian roo meat. Things are looking up again for Australian roo meat producers however, with an agreement to export kangaroo meat to China now finalised. Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said: “The formalities with China are now agreed to in terms of the principles of being... ...Read more »

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 »

The European Union has granted Australia market access to its new EU Tariff Quota for high quality beef. The duty-free quota, which first became available in August last year, provides for an additional global supply of 20,000 tonnes of high quality beef into the EU each year. Australia’s total beef exports to the EU currently exceed $136 million or about 11,000 tonnes annually. Minister for Trade Simon Crean and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke yesterday said the... ...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 »

A temporary ban on Australian mangoes from Japan has been lifted a week after it was first enforced after unidentified insect larvae were discovered in a mango at a south-east Queensland export facility.The south-east facility remains closed, however, with investigations ongoing into the cause of the system breakdown. “It’s relieving that the market has been reopened,” Mareeba Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association president Joe Moro told the ABC. “I think the growers of... ...Read more »