THE Federal Government export body Austrade is offering local companies involved in the food industry the chance to join its trade missions to Japan in May.
The mission coincides with the Aichi World Expo 2005 in Japan and the Australian Food Day at Australia's National Pavilion at the event.
Japan, Australia's largest export market for the past 35 years, accounts for $22 billion, or 19 per cent, of our total merchandising exports which exceeds the combined value of exports to both the US and China.
Austrade's Tokyo-based senior trade commissioner Phil Ingram said structural reforms had “opened up the Japanese economy”, which had resulted in a positive impact on the demand for Australian goods and services.
"The tremendous size of the Japanese economy and its regional markets with their well-educated, well-travelled, highly sophisticated consumers, will always present new opportunities for Australian exporters,” Ingram said.
Australia sells more than $4.5 billion worth of food to Japan every year, butsaid there was still plenty of opportunities across the counrty.
"There is a potential market for a large variety of foodstuffs,” Ingram said.
He also said there were good opportunities for Australian exporters in the fruit and vegetable market, where the volume and varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables had been steadily increasing.
The mission will also include business matching and tailored visiting programs for companies. Austrade said it expected most participants would visit major centres, including Tokyo and Osaka, as well as Nagoya, the host city of the Aichi World Expo which will host participants from 127 countries.
The Australian Pavilion will showcase local tucker in both its raw and cooked forms with pavilion staff providing counter service to patrons. The cafe will offer a wide variety of Australian-style food such as BBQ prawn sticks and crusty lamb and rosemary rolls.
Some dishes have been specifically designed to appeal to Japanese visitors such as bento boxes with BBQ lobster and Aussie beef. Brands on show will include Arnotts, Cadbury, Vili’s, Snowy Mountains beverages, Berri Juices, Fosters and Jacob’s Creek.
The food mission runs from May 23 to June 3, with the food mission event at the Australian Pavilion set for May 30.
Austrade has announced that companies participating in the missions would be eligible for a reduction of 50 per cent on Austrade's standard fees in “recognition of the importance” of the event and of “Japan to Australian exporters”.
For information visit austrade.gov. au/worldexpo2005.