AGRIFOOD EXPORT GRANTS FOR ASIAN MARKETS

  • Grants of up to $200,000 available to WA agrifood export businesses
  • Two rounds of $1.5 million in grants, totalling $3 million

The State Government today announced $3 million in grants for exporters to help boost export opportunities for Western Australia’s agricultural and food products in Asian markets.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston said the grants, made possible by the Government’s Royalties for Regions program, would support Western Australian agrifood businesses to invest in accessing and developing high-value markets in Asia.

“The Department of Agriculture and Food is working with the Western Australian agrifood sector to compete for new export opportunities and capitalise on growing demand from emerging markets in Asia,” he said.

“The first round of grants will enable exporters of premium products with a strong consumer focus and capable of meeting market demand to develop export relationships with international partners and pursue those market opportunities.”

Mr Baston announced the grants at an industry event which looked at the top growth opportunities in Asian markets.

“WA can continue to expand its exports to Asia of lamb, beef and pork meats, and oilseeds, oils and fats, and to pursue the strategic targeted export of high growth, high potential fruit and vegetable products plus fish and seafood into Asia,” he said.

The grants are a component of the Asian Market Success project, part of the $300 million Royalties for Regions Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the export grants would directly support the repositioning of agrifood businesses for international competitiveness.

“This strategic investment is a fantastic opportunity for the industries involved to broaden their commercial potential and provide a major stimulus to our regional economy,” he said.

“I am pleased to see Royalties for Regions playing a significant role in developing profitable industries for the sustainability of regional WA.”

Fact File

  • Grant applications close on April 21, 2016
  • For more information, visit https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/amsgrants
  • WA’s top three agrifood export markets in 2014-15 in Asia were China including Hong Kong and Macau ($1.83 billion), Indonesia ($1.07 billion) and Japan ($671 million)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.