The Food and Agribusiness Working Group comprises members of AustCham Beijing and AustCham Shanghai. Membership of the Working Group is diverse and covers most sectors of the food and agribusiness sector in China where Australian involvement is apparent. Over a period of time, strong linkages have been forged between members of the Working Group and locally based food and agribusiness operatives providing strong opportunities for the transfer of Australian technology, practices and skills.
The Working Group has developed a number of priority areas and a framework through which initiatives can be developed that align to these priority areas. Priority areas for 2010 are as follows:
- Trade Access - covering technical issues, free trade agreements, trade policy and trade barriers
- Awareness - raising the profile of Australian food and agribusiness operatives and organisations in the China market
- Integrity - covering issues such as logistics, quality assurance, supply chain management, food traceability
- Technology, Skills and Capability - covering issues such as knowledge management, education and skills transfer; and
- Investment - covering issues such as venture capital availability, equity arrangements in food and agribusiness and strategic alliances
The Working Group is currently progressing the following initiatives as part of its current work-plan:
- Development of a position paper - this work draws on similar work that was undertaken in mid 2009 and attempts to identify the key issues of importance to Australian food and agribusiness organisations operating in the China market as well as suggesting solutions to the issues identified;
- Creation of a capability matrix - this will identify, for the first time, capabilities that exist within member organisations operating in, or with a connection to, the food and agribusiness sector. This document will also provide a summary of member organisations and will become a key marketing and promotional tool of the Working Group;
- The Invitation Australia initiative - this is a longer term strategy aimed at establishing and strengthening linkages between members of Chinese food and agribusiness enterprises and those operating in the Australian food and agribusiness sector. A key feature of the initiative will be sponsored (or full fee-paying) visits to Australia by key Chinese food and agribusiness operatives to experience first hand Australian food and agribusiness technology, practices and operations with a view to the future application of learnings into the Chinese market.
A full summary of current Working Group activities can be found here.
Industry News
Austrade Mission to Xinjiang
Join the first Austrade-organised agriculture mission to Xinjiang, the western-most province of China, the gateway to central Asia and a fast-emerging modern agricultural region in China. The visit also coincides with the first month of the exciting Shanghai World Expo 2010. Included in this tour, at no extra cost, is a networking function and official dinner in the Australian pavilion at the Expo 2010.
Who should attend?
Export-ready companies specialising in:• Livestock services – sheep genetics, breeding, feedstock, animal health
• Arid land farming – water efficiency management and advanced irrigation technology; drought resistant plant and pasture seed
• Post harvest technology for cotton, grape, tomato
• Agriculture consulting and training.
For more information, please download the brochure. Apply before Friday 9 April at www.austrade.gov.au/agrichina
Past Events
16 December 2009: Food and Agribusiness Working Group meeting - Joint Austrade Industry Update with AustCham Shanghai: Alan Morrell, Senior Trade Commissioner, Austrade, provided members with an update on key developments affecting the food and agriculture industries.
17 March: Food and Agribusiness Working Group meeting - this Working Group meeting focussed on key areas of activity contained in the Group's 2010 work-plan.
