Australia’s united food and wine team heads to Taiwan

Leaders of some of Australia’s most prominent agriculture representative groups are focussing on Taiwan next month in a collaborative effort to increase export opportunities for Australia’s premium food and wine. 

The Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group, which includes Hort Innovation, along with Dairy Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Wine Australia and Seafood Industry Australia, will hold a series of roundtable discussions, workshops and a gala dinner in Taipei on 11 November.  

Taiwan is regarded as a stable and long-standing market for Australia’s exports, with a growing middle class and an increasing demand for premium safe produce. The Taiwanese population is known for having a high discretionary spend, with more than a quarter of the average income spent in the food service industry. 

For Australian horticulture, the Taiwan market is showing clear potential for further growth as local consumers increasingly demand safe, premium produce and move away from traditional markets to supermarkets to purchase their fresh food.  

Horticulture Innovation Australia General Manager, Trade and Biosecurity R&D Dr Mila Bristow said Australia’s relationship with Taiwan is a substantial one.

“Taiwan currently sits within our top 20 export markets at number 16, by value, with our top five exporting commodities to Taiwan being cherries, potatoes, onions, oranges and table grapes,” Dr Bristow said. 

“Our goal for this sector is to grow demand for healthy, fresh and safe Australian produce while creating relationships with the Taiwanese market. 

“Food safety, especially fresh produce, is top of mind for many consumers, driving younger consumers into supermarkets. This has the potential to boost demand and provide Australia with a great opportunity to provide premium quality produce to Taiwanese consumers.” 

On Monday, November 11, members of the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group will attend export market roundtable discussions with key market contacts. This will be followed by a press conference to share the story of Australia’s premium offering with local media. In the afternoon there will be a series of five individual workshops where local food industry representatives will experience the joys of working with Australia’s premium meat, seafood, wine, dairy and horticulture products. 

The day culminates with the Taste the Wonders of Australia Gala Dinner, which showcases the best of Australian food and wine to more than 100 Taiwanese food and trade representatives. This is the fifth Taste the Wonders of Australia Gala Dinner, in what has become a highly effective way to celebrate the best of Australia’s premium products in one forum, under the one brand.  

Dr Bristow said it was a joint effort that has clear benefits for all sectors of agriculture.

“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the value and importance of providing the Taiwanese people with access to safe and healthy Australian fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts as part of a nutritionally complete diet that also includes Australian meat, seafood and dairy products, complemented by Australian wines.” 

Seafood Industry Australia will stand alongside Hort Innovation at the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group’s activation in Taiwan. Seafood Industry Australia Trade Export Manager Laura Davies said that by operating as Team Australia, under the Nation Brand, the individual organisations can support each other to offer a complete dining experience to international consumers.  

“Australia is globally renowned for its safe, sustainable, and premium food and wine — two-thirds of which is exported,” Ms Davies says.  

“Taking a unified approach to positioning will help build on already strong demand, ensuring sustainable growth in our trade relationships.” 

The investment by the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group is supported by Agriculture Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC), with a $500,000 grant for the first four export market destinations in 2022-2024, and a second grant of $600,000 to continue the program for the next two years, with markets including Taiwan and Japan among the next destinations.