Tasmanian food and beverage companies have struck gold at a recent International Import Expo in Shanghai, with several securing multi-million-dollar deals with Chinese buyers.
Agreements totalling $86 million were signed by four Tasmanian producers, who jetted off to the expo with local products including seafood, fresh fruits, whisky, wines and non-alcoholic beverages.
Premier and Minister for Trade Jeremy Rockliff said the “significant victory” was a “great outcome” for the state’s export sector.
“It demonstrates that in-person, in-market trade events remain a highly effective part of our export growth plan and deliver a significant return on what is a relatively small investment,” he said.
“Our Trade Strategy is working, and we are on track with our goal to grow the value of our exports to $15 billion annually by 2050.”
This year saw the largest Tasmanian contingent ever at the event, with 14 companies showcasing their premium food and beverage offerings within the Australian Pavilion.
The Premier said international buyers see Tasmania as a high-quality producer of sustainable produce, making the state ‘strategically positioned’ to capture a growing share of the Chinese market and beyond.
“We know that Tasmania has what the world wants, and we are supporting Tasmanian businesses, to take their products to the world,” he said.
Next year, selected established and emerging Tasmanian exporting businesses will be thrust in-front of international buyers and importers in late July through the 5-day ‘Savour Tasmania’ expo.
Growers and producers in the seafood, meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, packaged food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industries can apply for the expo now through the Business Tasmania website.
