An Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant of $500,000 has been awarded to the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group.
The Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group received the ATMAC grant to increase the profile of premium Australian food and wine in South Korea and South-East Asia.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud believes the grant will benefit Australia’s agriculture, seafood and horticulture industries on the international platform.
Initially, the group will use the South Korea as a testing ground for a six-month pilot, expanding to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and other markets if successful.
“We’re helping international buyers find out more about our premium Australian food and wine in four key export markets and strengthening visibility of Australian branding across manufacturing, food service and retail,” said Littleproud.
“This Team Australia collaborative project brings together rural Research and Development Corporations and peak bodies across the five sectors. It also leverages an industry-government partnership including the overseas network of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Austrade and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”
The minister’s words were echoed by Charlie McElhone, the spokesperson for the Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group: “Working together, we will use a ‘Team Australia’ approach to create cut-through with messaging about Australian premium food and wine on global markets,” stated McElhone.
“There are real benefits in collaborating and leveraging each other’s expertise to engage with overseas markets.”
The ATMAC grant forms part of the federal government’s $85.9 million agricultural business expansion initiative.