The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) has welcomed the release of the Trading North Inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asia from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture.
NFF President David Jochinke said it was great to see the inquiry reaffirm the importance of the relationship between our sector and our partner nations in Southeast Asia and endorse a suite of recommendations to strengthening this relationship in the coming years and decades.
"Over recent decades, the relationship between the agriculture industry and our Southeast Asian partners has grown strongly," Mr Jochinke said.
"Over the past five years, Australian agricultural exports to Southeast Asia have almost doubled, reaching $17.2 billion in 2023. Currently, around 23% of all Australian agricultural exports are sent to the region.
"However, the relationship is much broader than just trade flows, encompassing interpersonal relationships and capacity building, cooperation on addressing shared challenges such as biosecurity, and working together to address food security.
"It's heartening to see the report's recognition of existing initiatives and programs including the Australian Agriculture Counsellors network, the Cairns Group of Farm Leaders, and the Special Representative for Australian Agriculture, as well as the report's calls for ongoing and additional support for them going forward.
"It's vital that the relationship between the Australian agriculture industry and Southeast Asia continues to flourish.
"The continued nurturing of this trade relationship has the potential to be of huge benefit to both regions. It's also key to helping us reach our goal to be a $100 billion industry and increasing our trade diversification."
The report also recommended the Australian ag sector continues to work together under the "Team Australia" banner.
"The 'Team Australia' approach is one the NFF has championed to our international partners many times, and we welcome the confirmation that when commodities work together, it pays dividends, including in the area of sustainability," Mr Jochinke said.
"The report highlights just how important it is for Government and industry to invest in long-term relationships.
"The NFF looks forward to continuing to grow our industry's relationship with Southeast Asia."
The NFF made a submission to the Inquiry in May this year and appeared before the Inquiry in August.
