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Unique, diverse, clean and green
Key food and beverage categories include meat, grains, dairy, horticulture, seafood, confectionery and beverages including wine. The industry supplies a diverse range of products to all distribution channels: retail, food service and food ingredients. Flexibility within the industry means product supply quickly matches consumer trends such as healthy and wellbeing, as well as convenience and value for money.
Food and beverage is a major industry sector for the Australian economy, in terms of both its financial contribution and employment. Food and beverage processing is Australia's largest manufacturing industry with sales exceeding A$70 billion in 2005-06 and accounting for around 18 per cent of manufacturing employment. Industry players are diverse in size - from multinationals producing large volume fast-moving consumer goods through to smaller players with flexibility to meet demand for niche gourmet items.
The industry is highly dynamic driven by demanding consumers seeking diversity, quality and value. The ethnic and cultural diversity of Australia is reflected in the food range available. Many specialty products have European, Asian and Middle Eastern influences. Foods with specific attributes including kosher, halal and organic are catered for by food certification systems and standards. The industry is internationally focused with exports to over 200 markets valued at A$23 billion in 2006-07.
Australia has a reputation for supplying clean and natural products with low chemical residues. Quality and safety is paramount with strict safety standards regulated and enforced along the supply chain. Excellent R&D facilities, both public and private, assist in the innovation process by facilitating development of new and differentiated products, as well as continual improvements to packaging and production processes.
A diverse range of produce is available from Australia due to large climatic differences across the Australian continent, from the tropical north to the temperate south. Australia also has a counter seasonal advantage when supplying international markets in northern hemisphere.
Well established education and training facilities catering to the food and beverage industry, create an exceptionally skilled and adaptable workforce with specialised skills.
Right across the supply chain, the Australian food and beverage industry has adopted innovative manufacturing, packaging, product development and marketing efforts. From paddock to port, the industry is supported by reliable and world-class transport and distribution infrastructure. |
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