Gippsland products in the Middle East
Victorian food and fibre exports currently account for around 27 percent of the national total, with a growth target aiming for it to be worth 20 billion to the State’s economy by 2030.
Food & Fibre Gippsland has been supporting a diverse range of businesses over the last two years via Gippsland Connect SME Export Hub and Packaging Assisting Small Exporters Program (PASE).
The Victoria State Government continues to support export growth through current initiatives being delivered via Food & Fibre Gippsland and Invest Gippsland throughout the region. As a result, export market opportunities continue to grow for Gippsland’s premium produce and products.
As part of the Global Victoria Trade Alliance Program, the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a successful roundtable meeting at the Morwell Innovation Centre to share market insights about Middle East and North African markets (MENA).
This was a hybrid event, with stakeholders and industry experts attending in person, joined online by the Global Victoria Team presenting from Dubai. Regional businesses, including Maffra Cheese and artisan chocolate creators Exquisite Treats were at the meeting, whilst others from connected virtually.
The MENA region is currently experiencing significant growth in consumer demand across a range of industry sectors. The Program discussed key factors underpinning export growth and emphasised export diversification opportunities to decrease reliance on single markets as well as provided insights on the key MENA industry sectors’ growth opportunities for Victorian regional businesses.
F&FG CEO Nicola Pero attended, building awareness of the Gippsland Trusted Provenance brand and the importance of the region’s clean, green, and trusted reputation.
Left to right : Dr Bekim Hasani (Head of Shariah Affairs at Islamic Co-ordinating Council of Victoria – ICCV), Madelaine Sexton –Regional Specialist Middle East, Africa & Oceania, Global Engagement, Dr Mimmie Watts – Federation University, Food & Fibre Gippsland CEO - Nicola Pero, Daniela Masci – Senior Project Manager, Global Victoria, Barbara Haggerty - Executive Officer, Victoria Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
“There is certainly appetite in the MENA region as well as Turkey and Russia, for premium products originating from a trusted source and environment like Gippsland. The MENA representatives we met with were supportive of our Gippsland Trusted Provenance brand and very engaged with how it could be represented at a consumer level in their countries” she said.
For a small annual subscription fee, the brand is available for Gippsland food and fibre businesses of all sizes to use and incorporate into their marketing and packaging. Ms Pero envisages as more businesses join the Gippsland Trusted Provenance program, the momentum and networking will build, along with opportunities to explore exporting as a larger group.
“We’re building an environment in which artisan producers can work collaboratively to consolidate their shipments, exporting as “Gippsland Trusted Provenance”. This will offer the importing country a rich array of quality products from the region in one hit, whilst creating freight economies of scale for the individual businesses, making exporting more accessible for many small to medium ”.
The Global Trade Alliance Program delivery in Gippsland was supported by Regional Development Victoria, Food & Fibre Gippsland, Committee for Gippsland and the Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria.
For more information about the Gippsland Trusted Provenance brand – go to
www.foodandfibregippsland.com.au/gippslandtrustedprovenance
