Support is available
The program aims to develop the full potential of Western Australian food and beverage businesses that are:
• Producing premium products.
• Adding value to raw produce.
• Staging their product for domestic and international markets.
• Creating jobs.
• Boosting WA's economy.
Food and beverage value-add: a national growth industry
Value-adding by transforming agricultural produce into consumer packaged food is a key industry for Australia - one with tremendous growth potential.
Food and beverage value-adding is a major contributor to the Australian economy, providing more than 247 000 jobs and generating more than $29.1 billion in export value. These jobs represent greater than 29% of the manufacturing sector, making food and beverage production the largest source of employment in Australia.
The food and beverage sector provides opportunities for the growth of producers, regional communities and the broader economy and is a driver for jobs.
How is Western Australia performing in the value-add sector?
Western Australia has traditionally produced and exported bulk quantities of raw produce.
These ingredients are sent to other countries where they are transformed into products consumers eat and drink.
WA is in a strong position to capitalise on the growing global demand for food. In order to be competitive with other states and wealthy developed countries, WA needs to increase its share of premium, value-added consumer-ready export products.
In 2017–18, WA generated 7% of Australia’s annual food and beverage exports; compared to 30% by Victoria, 25% by Queensland and 22% by New South Wales (Australian Food and Grocery Council, Trade Update, 2017-18).
There is an emerging value-added food and beverage sector driving innovation in WA, but it is small, diverse and could benefit from targeted development.
Due to the state's sheer land size and geographic and climatic diversity, premium food and beverage businesses often operate in isolation.
They can face a huge task competing against established international brands and identifying new markets due to constraints such as limited business collaboration opportunities, a lack of market analysis resources, and insufficient regional infrastructure.
The Food Industry Innovation program has been developed to bring premium and value-add food and beverage producers together and help them overcome barriers to growth.
Western Australia's competitive strengths
Western Australia's premium food and beverage industry can take advantage of growing global demand by building on a range of competitive strengths:
- Environment: The state's pristine, diverse environment and range of climatic conditions put us in a unique position to provide year-round, high-quality food and beverage products for domestic consumption and export.
- Quality and safety: An isolated production base from the rest of the world means our world-class biosecurity practices protect us from exotic pests and diseases. We have a reputation as a reliable producer of world-class, premium, clean and safe food and beverages.
- Time zone: About 60% of the world's population lives within WA's time zone, making us ideally placed to capitalise on market opportunities. An increasingly wealthy Asia, coupled with rapid worldwide population growth, is creating the demand and buying power needed to focus on growing our capacity and better meeting market demand.
- Innovation: We have access to the latest innovations through vibrant national and international science and innovation partnerships, as well as modern infrastructure and sophisticated supply chains.
- Culinary tourism: WA is a gourmet traveller destination because of our exceptional produce, natural beauty and culture - providing an idyllic setting for an all-encompassing, extraordinary tourism experience. Taste 2020 is a joint strategy developed by the department in conjunction with Tourism WA. Its purpose is to strengthen WA's position as an internationally recognised destination where you can savour gourmet produce, fresh seafood, premium wines and boutique beverages. The Margaret River Gourmet Escape event showcases WA as a world-class culinary destination, and demonstrates the success of a coordinated approach.
How is the Food Industry Innovation program helping WA premium food and beverage businesses?
The Food Industry Innovation program helps Western Australia’s premium food and beverage businesses achieve their growth plans by offering a range of tools and support services to address their needs, gaps and barriers to domestic and international export.
Food Industry Innovation priorities:
- Identify and prioritise premium food and beverage trends and high-value, high-growth markets for WA.
- Identify WA premium food and beverage businesses that are suitable to increase production and/or expand domestically and internationally.
- Provide targeted assistance to WA premium food and beverage businesses that are actively pursuing growth strategies.
- Provide assistance to other WA premium food and beverage businesses through knowledge-sharing, skills development and collaboration opportunities.
- Celebrate WA's premium food and beverage business success stories and raise the profile of the industry globally and domestically.
Food Industry Innovation reports
The Food Industry Innovation program has drawn on expert advice to prioritise areas of focus and support to the Western Australian food and beverage industry.
Read and download key reports on our Food Industry Innovation Reports page.
Tools and support services available
Some of the targeted resources offered by the Food Industry Innovation program to support your business include:
Learning opportunities
- tailored business growth training and workshops
- industry networking opportunities
- events
- study tours
- collaboration and knowledge sharing opportunities
- past event and seminar resources
Resources
- research and market intelligence
- access to business development support vouchers
- access to food industry contacts
- links to DPIRD’s Agribusiness Food and Trade support team including Asian Market Success, Investment Services and Buy West Eat Best
- links to State and commonwealth government service providers
Where is our team located?
The Food Industry Innovation team works out of four locations across metropolitan and regional WA to provide premium food and beverage producers with access to state-wide information, resources and services to help address their business needs and gaps.
Food Industry Innovation staff are located at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development offices in Perth, Bunbury, Narrogin and Albany. Refer to the 'Contact information' below for more details.
Subscribe to our eNewsletter
For more information about how the Food Industry Innovation program and Premium Agrifood Market Opportunity report are helping drive growth within WA’s premium food and beverage industry, subscribe to the Food Industry Innovation eNewsletter.
Each edition features industry news relevant to you, including:
- Educational and collaborative opportunities.
- Updates on latest market trends and opportunities.
- Tips for growing your business and expanding into domestic and international markets.
- Shared business stories and learnings.
- Food Industry Innovation activities, resources and partnerships.
Food Industry Innovation brochure
Download a copy of the Food Industry Innovation brochure under 'Documents' in the right-hand menu, for an overview of the WA premium food and beverage industry and the role of the project.
Testimonials
"Craft distilling, although still in its infancy in WA, offers plenty of opportunity. With help from the government through projects like Food Industry Innovation, we could really see micro-distilleries like us expand to the point of being able to sustain a healthy export market. Value-adding opportunities for the agriculture sector in terms of whiskey production are out there. As a craft producer we thrive in a collaborative environment. Industry collaboration is essential to share our business learnings and experiences." - Whipper Snapper chief distiller, James McKeown
"We are always prepared to collaborate across other industries and within our own. We collaborate with people to see if we can come up with industry solutions that are sustainable and beneficial. Collaboration creates critical mass and critical mass is what you need to be successful in export markets." - 2017 Telstra Australian Corporate and Private Award winner: National Telstra Business Women's Awards, Jennie Franceschi
Past events and seminar resources
The following is a list of capability development events and seminars delivered by the Food Industry Innovation program across Western Australia. Where possible and with permission we have provided the resources produced by the service provider.
Please contact the Food Industry Innovation team if you require these resources in an alternative format.
Turning the Dial - conference and expo
Hosted by DPIRD and sponsored by Curtin University, this 2-day industry event was dedicated to ESG, food waste and sustainable packaging innovations, supporting the WA food and beverage sector’s transition to a circular economy.
27 - 28 February 2023 - Turning the Dial - DPIRD webpage with resources and video recordings
Digital marketing workshops
In collaboration with the Social Media Research Lab, Curtin University School of Management and Marketing
8 September 2022 - Digital audit of your business' online presence - YouTube link
15 September 2022 - Leveraging social listening - YouTube link
21 September 2022 - Design a successful digital marketing campaign - YouTube link
Resources:
- Digital audit template - Excel template
Introduction to sustainable packaging webinar series
In partnership with DPIRD's Food and Beverage Fund project
10 May 2022 - Challenges for the global packaging industy - YouTube link
17 May 2022 - Best practice in sustainable packaing - YouTube link
24 May 2022 - Sustainable packaging branding - YouTube link
31 May 2022 - Sustainable packaing education and training - YouTube link
7 June 2022 - Linking industry and government programs and targets - YouTube link
14 June 2022 - Q&A, packaging supplier directory and next steps - YouTube link
Lean Manufacturing workshop - TXM Lean Solutions
10 September 2021 - Perth
Partnering for Growth: creating added value in food and beverage supply chains
22-25 June 2021 - Busselton, Perth and Esperance
Resources:
-
Partnering for Growth: creating added value in food and beverage supply chains - Ian Dixon - YouTube link
-
Adapt and Prosper White Paper - Ian Dixon - pdf
-
Partnering Solutions White Paper - Ian Dixon - pdf
Global food industry trends and COVID-19 – what do they mean for your business? – Professor David Hughes
4 June 2020 – webinar
Resources:
- Global food industry trends and COVID-19 - YouTube link
- Global food industry trends and COVID-19 - slides (Prof. David Hughes) - pdf
WA food and beverage packaging forum
In partnership with the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)
30 October 2019
Resources:
- Key note: Packaging overview - John Day, Shopability - pdf
- Packaging and sustainability - Ralph Moyle, Australian Institute of Packaging - pdf
- Food safety and Shelf life extension - Ralph Moyle, Australian Institute of Packaging - pdf
- Links and references - Ralph Moyle, Australian Institute of Packaging - pdf
Marketing food and beverages in a changing world – John Stanley
28 February 2019 - Gingin
19 February 2019 - Geraldton
7 February 2019 - Denmark (Masterclass)
21 November 2018 – Katanning
14 August 2018 - Denmark
Resources:
- Marketing food and beverages in a changing world - slides (John Stanley) - pdf
- Food tourism: a practical marketing guide - book (available to purchase)
Embrace the supply chain revolution (Automated warehousing) - GS1 Australia
In partnership with AusIndustry and FIAL
9 August 2019 - Perth
10 August 2019 - Margaret River
Prepare for retail buyer meeting: an introduction
27 May 2019 - Perth
Resources:
- Prepare for the retail buyer meeting: an introduction - Samantha Watson, Goldfish Consulting - YouTube link
- Prepare for the retail buyer meeting: an introduction - Samantha Watson, Goldfish Consulting - slides - pdf
Proteins for food and health: sustainable alternatives for future food - CSIRO
In partnership with CSIRO and FIAL
3 April 2019 - Perth
Market Diversification - Shopability
In partnership with AusIndustry and FIAL
26 March 2019 - Perth
27 March 2019 - Busselton
Developing a winning Asian distribution strategy
In partnership with DPIRD's Asian Market Sucess project
30 November 2018 - South Perth & regional video cast
Resources:
- A winning export strategy - slides (Incite) - pdf
Global food industry trends – what do they mean for your business? – Professor David Hughes
16 October 2018 – Busselton
18 October 2018 – Wanneroo
Resources:
- Global food industry trends – YouTube link
- Global food industry trends - slides (Prof. David Hughes) - pdf
- Developing the North of Perth Food Zone – slides (City of Wanneroo and Wheatbelt Development Commission) - pdf
E-commerce Masterclass (China and South East Asia)
In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.
28 August 2018 – South Perth & regional video cast
29 August 2018 – South Perth
Resources:
- Navigating e-commerce China – slides (Austrade) - pdf
- Navigating e-commerce China - YouTube link
- Navigating e-commerce ASEAN – slides (Austrade) - pdf
- Navigating e-commerce ASEAN - YouTube link
- China Certification and Inspection group – slides (Mr Al Liang) - pdf
- Pre-market due diligence - YouTube link
- Pre-market due diligence China – slides (CCIWA) - pdf
- Pre-market due diligence SE Asia – slides (CCIWA) - pdf
- Cold-chain logistics – slides (S.F.Express) - pdf
- E-commerce opportunities Malaysia – slides (Austrade Malaysia) - pdf
- Happy Fresh - slides - pdf
Accelerate your dairy business growth
In partnership with Dairy Australia.
7 August 2018 – Albany
Resources:
- SME exporters workshop manual (Dairy Australia) - pdf
- Program for Dairy SME exporters – slides (Dairy Australia) - pdf
Premium Food and Beverage Forum Albany
28 July 2018 - Albany
Resources (YouTube links):
- Premium Food and Beverage Forum Albany - highlights
- Premium food production in our region - Nikki Poulish, DPIRD Specialised Food Centre manager
- Why target premium food and beverage value-add? - Kim Antonio, DPIRD Food Industry Innovation project manage
- Tapping into global and industry trends: an opportunity for WA – Professor David Hughes
- Transformational economic development of the premium food and beverage sector - Russell Pritchard, Great Southern Development Commission
- Role of local government in supporting growth of the premium food sector - Paul Camins & Matt Hammond, City of Albany
- Food, wine and tourism – Leanne Rogers, The Lake House Denmark
- Horticulture value-adding opportunities - Claire McClelland, vegetablesWA
- Opportunities for regional wines - Dr John Gates, Great Southern Wine Producers Association
- Opportunities for premium Noongar-branded sheep meat and native foods - Jeff Foley, GHD
- Case study - Sheryn Prior, Dellendale Creamery
- Dairy industry value-add - Esther Jones, Western Dairy
- Value-adding in the regional aquaculture and fishing sector - Don Nicholls, Southern Seafood Producers (WA) Association
- South Coast aquaculture value-add shellfish - Mike Pengelly, DPIRD fisheries principal management officer
- Premium beef growth opportunities - Nicholas Hunt, AEC Group Pty Ltd
Labelling and Claims Masterclass
5 July 2018 - Perth
Resources:
- Labelling and Claims Masterclass - slides (Chris Preston) - pdf
Country of origin labelling workshop
13 April 2018 – South Perth
Resources:
- Country of origin labelling workshop - YouTube link
- ACCC’s Country of origin labelling information
- Federal Government’s business.gov.au online CoOL tool