Industry welcomes Food To Asia Action Plan

The Victorian Government’s Food To Asia Action Plan is a positive step that will enhance competitiveness and growth in the domestic food processing sector, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) says.

The plan focuses on improved market access, efficient supply chains, support for R&D and innovation, reducing regulatory costs and increased capital investment.

“Food production and processing is one of the great strengths of the Victorian economy. Processed food and grocery products generate over $6 billion in exports from Victoria and the industry directly employs almost 100,000 Victorians, with around half in regional and rural parts of the state,” said AFGC CEO Gary Dawson.

“The package of measures released by the Premier today will help Victoria to play to its competitive strengths in international trade to enhance high value-add exports as well as commodities.

“Food and grocery processing sits at the intersection of agribusiness and advanced manufacturing, ideally placed to supply high-quality, high-value, premium food products into Asia.

“Improved market access into high-value Asian markets is vital for the future of Australia’s food and grocery sector. The Action Plan’s focus on reducing tariff and technical barriers to trade, in concert with concluding free trade agreements, will provide benefits that will flow to a broad range of Australian food and grocery manufacturing companies, large and small.

“The Victorian Government’s continued support for the Asia-Pacific Chocolate and Confectionery Centre of Excellence is an example of its commitment to food manufacturing innovation that will enhance industry competitiveness and bolster manufacturers’ capacity to take advantage of export opportunities, particularly in Asian markets.

“The commitment to reduce regulatory burdens is particularly welcome. Excessive regulation acts as a handbrake on the competitiveness of Australian food and beverage producers and processors. The Victorian Government commitment to regulatory reform is an acknowledgment that the regulation burden directly discourages innovation in food products, increases costs and ultimately impacts on exporters’ ability to compete on a global stage.”