Food and beverage grants open in $1.3bn initiative

The government has announced funding is available for food and beverage manufacturers for projects under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).

Food and beverage is the fourth of six national manufacturing priorities to be supported under the MMI to help manufacturers scale up production, commercialise their products and operations, and integrate into domestic and global supply chains.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said this funding would unlock investment to further grow what is the biggest manufacturing sector in Australia.

“The world already can’t get enough of Aussie-made food and beverages but there are opportunities to further build on our international reputation for producing premium, safe and high-quality products,” Minister Andrews said.

“Investing in our food and beverage manufacturers will ensure they remain on the front foot and maximise every opportunity to tap into global markets and create jobs here at home.”

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said this support for food and beverage manufacturers will have significant flow-on effects for Australian farmers and agriculture producers.

“Australia already makes world class value-added products from fruit and vegetables, grain mill and cereals, dairy products and meat,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This funding will open up further opportunities for the development of new products and the expansion of existing product lines beyond the farm gate.”

To guide government investment, an industry-led road map has also been released, setting out a 10-year vision for the food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Opportunities identified include smart processing and packaging methods, products for health and wellbeing and enhanced nutritional value, and high value-add products such as those containing new and enhanced proteins.

It also looks to focus on products with strong food safety, origin and traceability systems and the adoption of solutions to increase differentiation of food and beverage products in domestic and overseas markets.

Initial applications will be limited to the translation and integration streams of the MMI, with expressions of interest for the larger collaboration stream to open in coming months.

For more information on the road maps and available grant funding, click here. 

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/paulacobleigh