Delectable offerings from Western Australia will be on show to buyers at this month’s HOFEX Food and Beverage Trade Exhibition in Hong Kong.
The Department of Agriculture and Food is leading a contingent of Western Australian companies showcasing local food products at the exhibition, held from 7 to 10 May.
The Western Australian products promoted range from mustards and dairy products, to yabbies, truffles, olive oil, wine, lamb and honey.
Department international liaison manager Carolyn Hine is facilitating the Western Australian stand to promote trade and investment in partnership with the Austrade Hong Kong office.
“HOFEX is the largest regional food and beverage trade event in North East Asia, held every two years,” Ms Hine said.
“It is a great opportunity to showcase our high quality produce to Asian markets, as the trade exhibition draws buyers from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea as well as South East Asia.”
China-Hong Kong is the largest export market for Western Australian agriculture and fisheries, with exports in 2012 worth $1.16 billion.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council Director for Australia Bonnie Shek said Hong Kong was a major food trading hub in Asia.
“Over 90 per cent of the food imports into Hong Kong are re-exported, one third to mainland China,” Ms Shek said.
“In recent years, food safety has become a prime concern for consumers in Hong Kong-China. It presents a golden opportunity for Australian food exporters as Australian products are perceived to be safe and of high quality. Australian brands are very much trusted.”
Companies participating at HOFEX include Harvey Fresh, Mundella Foods, Brownes Food Operations, Whittingtons Australia, Abba Olive Oil, Safeguard Products, Leeuwin Star, Varona Foods, Lynch’s Gourmet Breadcrumbs, Manjimup Truffles, Dorper Lamb, Gourmania, Silco International, Cambinata Yabbies, Harvest Fresh Cuts, Foods IQ, Anchor Foods and Elixir Raw Honey.
Ernest Battimiello, of Whittingtons, said their products to be displayed gave a great snapshot of the range of produce which could be sourced from across regional Western Australia.
Whittingtons sources and value adds mustard seeds from farms in the wheatbelt, coriander seeds from Dongara, harvests salt from Lake Deborah north of Southern Cross and preserves its mustard with wine from Mt Barker.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937