A $2 million McGowan Government investment will cultivate new pathways to supply innovative oats, whole grain and soft wheat food products to customers in nearby Asia, helping to diversify markets for local farmers.
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced the investment at a Grain Industry Association of Western Australia 'Diversifying and Value Adding Western Australian Grain' forum in Perth this evening.
The funds will support three research projects led by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) to help commercialise new oat rice and noodle products, develop a package to supply whole grain wheat, and explore supply chains for cake and biscuit manufacturing.
The projects aim to capture a share of rapidly growing demand for wheat and oat products in South East Asia and China, capitalising on WA's convenient proximity and enviable reputation as a reliable supplier of safe, premium quality grain. Targeting just 10 per cent of these combined wheat markets alone, represents a two million metric tonne trade opportunity for WA's grains industry, worth an estimated $600 million per annum.
This funding is in addition to the $6 million provided to continue AEGIC's core operations over the next two years, matched by co-owner the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"These projects could generate significant trade opportunities for WA's grains industry, providing greater flexibility and diversification options for farmers.
"AEGIC has already done tremendous work developing novel oat rice and noodle products, as well as laying the foundations to promote whole grain products and better understand the soft wheat market for bakery products.
"With market intelligence pointing to rising demand from our Asian neighbours for wheat and oat products, now is the time to get in on the ground floor and establish WA as a preferred supplier in this very competitive global market.
"The research by AEGIC is essential to understand the customer requirements and market potential, from which new grain varieties and farming systems can be developed so WA is in a strong position to capture emerging trade opportunities.
"Having a pipeline of new varieties, products and markets is absolutely critical to strengthen the resilience of our grains industry."
