Western Australian food and beverage manufacturing businesses will learn new skills and strategies to help them increase WA's share of the premium and value-added export market, as part of a study tour to Victoria next month.
The McGowan Government is supporting 13 Western Australian premium food businesses including truffles, bananas, vegetables, meat, dairy, honey and beer, to take part in the study tour which runs from September 2 to 6.
The tour will provide a platform for businesses to connect with industry experts, identify opportunities to collaborate and to discuss innovation, investment and trade with leading Victorian experts within the food and beverage industry.
Organised by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, participants will tour food and beverage production facilities in Melbourne and across regional Victoria, including Parwan Valley Mushrooms, Chobani (yoghurt) and Costco Distribution Centre.
They will visit Monash University's Food Innovation Centre and join a facilitated design sprint session with Ballarat food businesses on product design for market readiness.
Participants will also attend the inaugural Global Table conference with other food and beverage industry leaders from across Australia and the globe.
The tour is part of the State Government's support for WA businesses working in the value-added and premium food and beverage sector to capture market opportunities and boost business viability, international competitiveness and growth opportunities.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"WA is in a strong position to capitalise on the growing global demand for premium food because of our reputation for producing safe, high-quality products.
"While our State leads the way in bulk produce exports, we do less well as a manufacturer of food and beverage products - moving WA up the value-chain will create more regional jobs and drive economic growth across the State.
"Victoria is the State that excels in value-add - we want to learn from their experience.
"The study tour is a good opportunity for WA businesses to learn from major exporters and explore options for new value-added products that meet consumer demands and grow the State's share in the premium foods export market."
Businesses participating in the study tour
| Business name | Product | Region |
| Sweeter Banana Co | Bananas and banana bread | Gascoyne |
| Southern Dirt | Grower group | Great Southern |
| Great Southern Truffles | Truffles and truffle products | South-West |
| Torbay Asparagus | Asparagus and other horticultural products | Great Southern and Goldfields |
| Grubs Up Australia | Insect protein products (human consumption) | Peel |
| Mundella Foods | Yoghurt and cheese | Peel |
| Cowaramup Brewing | Beer | South-West |
| The Farm House Margaret River | Smoked meats | South-West |
| Ryan's Quality Meats | Beef, lamb, pork and chicken products | South-West |
| Regans Ridge Organic Olives | Olives and olive oil | Wheatbelt |
| Australian Natural Biotechnology (Honey and other products) | Honey and health products (vitamins, health foods, supplements) | Perth metro based (regional product) |
| Rawsome | Raw chocolate treats and slices | Perth metro |
| Swan Valley Honey | Honey and honey products | Perth metro based (regional product) |
