Australian food exporters need to enhance image
A leading international expert on the global food industry has told a conference in Brisbane this week that the future for Australian food exports is strong as long as we can build on our ‘beer and vegemite’ image.
Speaking at the National Farmers’ Federation congress, Professor David Hughes said Australia’s position as a low-cost producer had evaporated but the high quality of our food presented an alternative marketing proposition.
“What you need is customers with income,” Prof Hughes advised, according to AAP. “For Australia it’s fine to have poor friends, but it’s best to have rich customers. They value other things – quality, quality assurance, green, possibly organic, and consistent supply.”
Prof Hughes added that rapid growth in the world population offered an ever increasing customer base but Australia needs to work out its positioning and capitalise on the sound reputation in food safety and traceability.
Our offering, however, is too often linked to Vegemite and beer. In fact, research in the US indicated Australia was perceived as a good source of food but, when pushed, those surveyed could only link the country to beer.
“There’s nothing quintessentially Australian except Vegemite,” Professor Hughes suggested.
Australian breakfast staple Weet-Bix is the latest Australian product to attract heavy demand from c...
Two Australian women on a mission to reduce food waste have launched a new vodka made using carrots.
In what has been a challenging year for all Australians, CADBURY is hoping to make Christmas a litt...
A new table top sweetener is set to soon appear on supermarket shelves in Australia and New Zealand....
Darrell Lea announces it is now 100% palm oil free across all products. The iconic confectionery...
A professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne has been investigating enzyme from pineapple that ma...
A new ‘no palm oil’ certification program has been launched by The Orangutan Alliance.
Australia’s national hospitality revenue in October has seen a 10.8% jump compared to the same time...