Leaders of some of Australia's largest food and wine representative groups will meet in Indonesia next week in a collaborative effort to increase trade opportunities between the two countries.
The Roundtable Discussion in Jakarta on May 20 will include representatives from Meat & Livestock Australia and other members of the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group, along with Australian Government and industry representatives plus Indonesian counterparts.
The discussion will focus on a two-way sharing of perspectives, insights and issues, including the market outlook for Indonesia in the next 12 months and beyond.
There will be opportunities to discuss ways to deepen Australia's engagement with Indonesia and identify market growth opportunities.
The Roundtable Discussion will also give the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group the opportunity to collectively promote and profile the credentials of Australian produce and wine.
In the evening, a Taste the Wonders of Australia Gala Dinner will give Indonesian importers, chefs, members of the food industry, government representatives and local media the opportunity to taste Australia's premium food and wine and meet producers and industry representatives in a more informal environment.
The Roundtable Discussion and Gala Dinner are part of a united effort by the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group, comprising Meat & Livestock Australia, Hort Innovation, Wine Australia, Dairy Australia and Seafood Industry Australia, to help secure enhanced business opportunities and profile for Australian food and beverages exporters across Asia.
Indonesia is the fourth target market for the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group, and Meat & Livestock Australia Regional Manager for South East Asia Valeska says Indonesia is a longstanding partner and consumer of the Australian red meat industry.
"Australian beef and lamb is highly regarded by Indonesian consumers for its premium quality and food safety credentials," Valeska says.
"With the country's growing foodservice and tourism industry, we are expecting greater demand for Australian beef, lamb and other produce over the next few years."
Valeska says Indonesia's growing middle-class consumer base offers strong long-term prospects for Indonesia as an export market for Australian beef and lamb.
"The Collaboration Group is a fantastic opportunity to capitalise upon Indonesia's incredible interest in all things beef and lamb."
Since it first received funding from the Agriculture Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) at the start of 2022, the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group has met more than 480 key trade contacts, customers and government officials through in-market activities in Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam, and Dairy Australia General Manager Charlie McElhone says there is clear momentum building for the Collaboration Group.
"While each of the research and development corporations (RDC) and representative groups have their own marketing and promotion strategies, working together to strengthen the overall strategic positioning of Australia as a key supplier, improve market access and demand for Australian food and wine exports compounds the impact," he says.
"This 'Team Australia' approach is helping us leverage our collective strengths to advantage our exporters and build deeper relationships across all sectors in market.
"The project helps us communicate the positive attributes of Australian produce, leveraging the 'Nation Brand', as it delivers in-market activities in high-growth markets, such as Indonesia, for Australia."
The Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group's initial two-year program has been supported by an Agriculture Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant. The program has been extended thanks to a second ATMAC grant, which will see the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group strengthen trade engagement and market access in other high-value markets, starting with Taiwan.
