Singapore trade show helps wine business across Asian markets

Australian export case study

Although Marita and Greg Corra’s business near Canberra sells boutique wines to 32 countries around the world, they have made a large impact in Asian markets with the help of their participation in the biennial Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) exhibition.

Food and Hotel Asia 2008 – the event’s 16th edition – was held in Singapore during April and represents a return to the place where Inland Trading made their first exports in 1996.

Back then, the business was a part-time hobby operating from a spare room of the family home, while today it has grown to a multi-million dollar global operation representing more than 60 boutique wineries around Australia.

Founder and Managing Director, Greg Corra, said FHA was strategically the most important event for their business.

“We open and pour every wine in our portfolio at FHA,” Mr Corra said.

“This event got Inland Trading up and running, selling into Asia.

“Singapore was our first ever export market 14 years ago and we’re now selling to 32 countries worldwide.

“In my view, FHA shows us where we go and how we grow.

“The great thing about this event is we’ve had amazing interest from a diverse audience and unexpected sources–lots of people from countries you don’t expect to be there like UAE, Mauritius, Seychelles and even Maldives.

“We also struck a major deal with Star Cruises to supply our fine wines as a result of the show.”

Mr Corra said every Asian market has been incredibly strong for Inland Trading despite the high exchange rate.

“There is considerable interest (from suppliers) in high quality wine. We found good importers in Myanmar and Cambodia at FHA a few years ago, both great markets for us.”

Inland Trading has also used Austrade’s Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme to help cover their marketing expenses overseas.

Applications for the 2007-08 EMDG scheme grant year open on 1 July.

Company information
Greg Corra
Managing Director
Inland Trading Co
637 Norton Road, Wambion NSW 2620
Tel: +61 2 6238 3882
Email: inland@cyberone.com.au

April 2008
www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre

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