Food
WA food companies showcase to the world
Buyers from around the world are sampling the very best of Western Australian produce – including a new Crab Mornay, marinated yabbies and fruit-flavoured vinegar – at the Fine Food Perth trade exhibition. Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said more than 60 WA food companies have been showcased to domestic, national and international buyers. “This event attracts up to 200 exhibitors from across Australia with WA produce recognised as a stand-out for its innovative products and high quality,” Mr Redman said.
Source: www.fw.farmonline.com.au 23 March 2009
Australians bin $5.3 billion of food each year
Australians love their food. Strangely enough, we also love throwing it out. According to a 2005 study by the Australia Institute, Australians bin a staggering $5.3 billion of food a year, including $630 million of uneaten takeaway, $876 million of leftovers and $241 million of frozen food. “When people or restaurants throw away their food, they also waste all the resources, fuel and energy that went into getting that food from paddock to plate,” Chef Kylie Kwong says.
Source: www.fw.farmonline.com.au 25 March 2009
Meat and Live Animal
Lamb prices through the roof
Lamb markets across the country have risen sharply this week, with prices now tracking about 100 cents a kilogram higher than were seen this time last year. The question now is: how high will prices get during winter months and will lamb again price itself out of the retail market in its usual feast to famine trend? Across the major markets early this week, Meat and Livestock Australia market information was reporting prices for medium to heavy trade lambs commonly trading between 440 to 480 cents. This time last year prices for the same lambs were hovering about 350 cents before supply and demand forced a steep climb over the winter months to well above 500 cents at times.
Source: www.fw.farmonline.com.au 26 March 2009
Goat trade could grow like billy-o as WA plans to cash in on global demand
Feral goats from outback stations will be moved to farmland areas under plans to boost WA’s share in the multi-billion-dollar global goat meat trade. WA’s goat meat industry has warned that key markets in Taiwan, the Caribbean and Malaysia are at risk because it cannot provide a year-round supply. The trapping and exporting of feral goats from stations has provided a valuable income for pastoralists in recent years as returns from sheep have dwindled. The WA Goat Meat Industry Council and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association claim shifting feral goats to the Wheatbelt could overcome the problem of not being able to move the goats during wetter months. .Source: www.countryman.com.au 25 March 2009
Surge in pork demand comes just in time for an industry in trouble
Rising demand for locally grown meat and falling grains prices has led to a turnaround in the fortunes of WA pig farmers. About 18 months ago, producers across Australia were preparing
Agrifood Infonet
ENews
27 March 2009 Issue 90
to cut their breeding herds as total farm losses of up to $5 million were recorded each week. WA Pork Producers Association executive officer Russell Cox said the State’s industry was now recovering with an average 15 per cent drop in feed-grain prices and rise in farm-gate prices. “Just over 15 months ago, when grains prices were more than $400 a tonne, an industry survey revealed that the majority of producers were running at a loss,” he said. Farm-gate prices in WA had since lifted about 15 to 20 per cent, depending on weight and grade. Source: www.countryman.com.au 24 March 2009
Horticulture
Olive production forecast to increase
The State’s olive harvest has commenced with production forecast to increase this year. Harvesting has started near Geraldton and will move further south to Gingin before finishing in southern areas in June and July. Production is expected to rise by 3000 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes of fruit in 2009, with oil production around 2500 tonnes. Department of Agriculture and Food market analyst Dick Taylor said “it is important for growers to pick their fruit and get it to the processors as quickly as possible for processing into olive oil, before the quality deteriorates.”
Source: www.agric.wa.gov.au 19 March 2009
Tough times ahead for wine growers
Source: www.weeklytimesnow.com.au 16 March 2009
Dairy
Identify dairy traits early
A breeding value that identifies valuable dairy traits will soon be available for young calves.
This will be possible through a technology called genomics, which will enable dairy farmers to have their young stock tested for traits such as fertility, milk yield and protein, identifying individual DNA markers which represent these values. University of Melbourne animal geneticist Michael Goddard, who is working on genomics for the Department of Primary Industries, said the technology should save dairy farmers time and money. He said it would also enable faster genetic progress. “Dairy farmers can use young bulls instead of waiting for them to get proven,” Prof Goddard said.
Source: www.weeklytimesnow.com.au 26 March 2009
Grains and Oilseeds
New oilseed industry executive director
Nick Goddard takes the helm of the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) from May 1, replacing Rosemary Richards, who retires from the role after seven years. President of the AOF, Robert Green, said today: “With the AOF representing an industry currently valued at over $2.5bln comprising growers, processors, oil and meal users and exporters, the AOF plays a key role in ensuring the industry speaks with one voice. “Mr Goddard will play a key role in continuing to build industry unity, and guaranteeing that the voice of our members is heard and the AOF is represented on all relevant industry matters.” Mr Goddard has worked for both Unilever and Goodman Fielder, two of the largest end-users of Australian produced vegetable oils, in roles covering marketing, communication and public affairs and has also been a member of the AOF executive for a number of years.
Source: www.fw.farmonline.com.au 26 March 2009
Cereal crops take over as sheep trade declines
continues to decline. “As fertiliser prices come off the highs we saw several months ago and people are unloading sheep, there is every indication it is going to be a big cropping year,” WAFarmers president Mike Norton said. There was a sell-off of sheep last year as margins for meat and wool failed to keep pace with the potential returns from crops. While that sell-off appeared to be continuing with big numbers of sheep going through saleyards, Mr Norton said medium-term prospects for sheep meat production were strong. Source: www.countryman.com.au 26 March 2009
UPCOMING EVENTS
DOMESTIC EVENTS
3 APRIL 2009, Food for the Future: Margaret River Education Campus
This workshop to be held by Curtin University at the Margaret River Education Campus will bring together people producing, consuming and researching food to explore a framework for a stronger future for locally oriented food production. The participants will present perspectives from local producers (agriculture and horticulture), consumers (tourism operators, hospitality industry and local people) and researchers (sense of place, branded production, social resilience in landscape contexts). RSVP to Mark Gibberd. m.gibberd@curtin.edu.au by 5 PM Wednesday 1 April or for further details please call 08 9780 5830
22 APRIL 2009, Inaugural CCI Allergen Conference: East Perth
The rapid growth of incidences in food allergens is an international phenomenon. Risk Management and compulsory product labelling for key food allergens is a crucial food safety matter for businesses in the food industry. The CCI Allergen Conference 2009 is a one-day conference designed for anyone who is involved in the production, manufacturing, distribution, selling or providing of food to consumers. The information provided throughout the day will help you understand the risks allergens pose to your business and provide you with practical information about how you can appropriately manage those risks to protect your business and the welfare of your customers. The conference will be held at the CCI Function Centre, Level 4, 180 Hay Street, East Perth from 8.30am to 5.00pm on Wednesday 22 April 2009. To register visit www.cciwa.com.
28& 29 JULY, 2009 National Fodder Conference
designed to update all delegates with market trends, agronomic issues relating to hay and silage, as well as the latest research results. For more information please contact AFIA on Tel: 03 9530 2199, or e-mail pru@afia.org.au
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
6 – 9 MAY 2009, HOFEX Hong Kong (WA Booth) BOOKINGS CLOSE SOON
HOFEX alternates with Food and Hotel Asia (Singapore) and is one of the largest biannual food and beverage trade exhibitions in Asia. There will be an Australian Pavilion so to book please contact the Exhibition Organiser Magda Hall Export Solutions E-mail: magda@exportsolutions.com.au. A WA Food and Beverage stand will be organised. Please contact Carolyn Hine E-mail: chine@agric.wa.gov.au to advise your participation at HOFEX and also if you would like to be in the WA Food and Beverage stand.
MAY 2009, Taste of Australia – South China
Taste of Australia is an export facilitation platform developed by Austrade’s South China team to link Australian wineries with targeted, local business networks. By working with Austrade you’ll meet local importers, distributors, traders, corporate buyers, and hotel/restaurant owners in the region. Apply online before 13 March at ww.austrade.gov.au/TasteOfAust09 to have our country and industry specialists assess whether this event offers opportunities that are well-matched to your business. If your application is successful we will send you an Event Participation Kit to give you all the information you need to prepare.
14 – 16 May 2009, SIAL Shanghai (WA Booth) Shanghai China
A WA Government booth is planned with WA Trade Office representative Mr Jack Tang to attend. Companies can book an individual booth or shared booth or be part of the Western Australian booth. Both WA companies currently in the China market or wanting to enter the China market (especially seafood, premium wine, organic and gourmet foods). Contact Carolyn Hine E-mail: chine@agric.wa.gov.au or Dr Soon Chye Tan E-mail: stan@agric.wa.gov.au if you would like your products included.
- Discover Australia is a food and wine showcase being held in 3 key Canadian cities: Toronto 21 May 2009, Montreal 25 May 2009 ,Vancouver 27 May 2009.This event is aimed at companies who are seeking to enter the Canadian market in: Wine, Spirits, Beer and RTDs, Organic food and beverages, Speciality / gourmet food, Snack food, Natural / healthy eating products, Food products suitable for grocery, food service, institutional, hospitality, industrial and manufacturing sectors.
24-26 MAY 2009, PMA Fresh Connections Australia/New Zealand conference
For more information please visit http://www.pma.com/events/freshconnectionsAustralia.cfm
26-29
More than 6 m tonnes of grain, growing domestic market, access to high value SE asian markets, cost effective milk production, climate, land, water. WA is a great location to invest in dairy